A Hidden Risk Factor for Death from All Causes Identified 0 25

Obstructive sleep apnea can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular events and death from all causes. This conclusion was reached by researchers who presented data at the European Congress on Obesity 2026 (ECO26).

The scientists analyzed electronic medical records of nearly 3 million residents of the United Kingdom and compared over 20,000 patients with sleep apnea to a group without this diagnosis. Over a follow-up period of up to four years, individuals with apnea had a 71 percent higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. In absolute terms, such events occurred in 26.3 percent of patients with apnea compared to 17.5 percent in the control group.

Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by repeated breathing interruptions during sleep due to airway obstruction. It worsens sleep quality and is associated with chronic oxygen deprivation. Sleep apnea is most commonly found in overweight individuals: it is estimated that 40 to 70 percent of patients with this diagnosis are obese, which exacerbates the severity of the condition and its consequences.

Additionally, the study showed that individuals with apnea are more likely to develop comorbidities—including diabetes, osteoarthritis, anxiety, and depressive disorders—and they seek medical help more frequently. The authors emphasize that sleep apnea often remains undiagnosed and call for more active screening and treatment to reduce the risk of severe complications.