Even mild sleep apnea puts men in danger

Researchers from the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS) report that men with moderate to severe sleep apnea were nearly three times more likely to have a stroke than men without sleep apnea or with mild sleep apnea. Researchers say the risk of stroke appears in men with mild sleep apnea and rises with the severity of sleep apnea.  The risk from sleep apnea is independent of other risk factors such as weight, high blood pressure, race, smoking, and diabetes.

The Sleep Heart Health Study, was published online March 25 ahead of print in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.