Is sleep apnea sometimes fatal?

Not common: This is really tough... Apnea leads to factors that while may not cause sudden death can lead to factors that contribute to death. There is a known association between sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease, Insulin resistance, and decreased life expectancy. People with sleep apnea are 4-7 times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident. It is a serious medical problem!

It can be: Apnea means breathing has stopped. This can cause a significant drop in the amount of oxygen that is carried in the blood. This has an impact on heart rhythms. Many people who have died in their sleep did so from heart attacks secondary to apnea. This is a serious medical condition that is not to be taken lightly.

Yes: Sleep apnea is present in all chronic diseases. It can be a factor in a fatal heart attack. The lack of oxygen increases the heart rate & over a long period of time stresses the heart contributing to heart disease. It is also a factor in increasing inflammation in the body. Inflammation contributes to c-reactive protein (c-rp) production which can cause blood clot leading to heart attack or stroke.