How to know if you’re at risk for sleep apnea
If you’re reading this, you’ve already completed a risk assessment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). But what if a loved one or friend might be at risk too? Here’s a simple way to see if you or someone you know is at risk for OSA, using “STOP-BANG” criteria:
- Do you snore loudly (louder than talking or loud enough to be heard through closed doors)?
- Do you often feel tired, fatigued or sleepy during the daytime?
- Has anyone observed you stop breathing during your sleep?
- Do you have or are you being treated for high blood pressure?
- Is your body mass index more than 35 kg/m2? Calculate your BMI here
- Is your age over 50 years old?
- Is your neck circumference more than 40 cm (15.75 inches)?
- Are you of male gender?
If you have three or more positive responses to these questions, you have a high risk of sleep apnea and should talk to your provider about getting tested.