Sleep Apnea Hits Nearly Half of Adults, Boosts Heart and Brain Risks

Analysis of 879 home sleep‑monitoring tests conducted between 2019 and 2025 revealed that 48% of examined adults were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with more than half of those cases classified as moderate to severe. The condition was most common among men, older individuals and those with higher body‑mass index, though one‑third of patients with normal weight also tested positive.

Patients experience repeated drops in blood‑oxygen levels that fragment sleep and prevent deep‑sleep and REM phases, which are essential for bodily repair and memory consolidation. Dr Zheng Naixuan, director of the Li‑an Preventive Medicine Institute, warned that "repeated oxygen deprivation during sleep can increase long‑term risks of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease." Early symptoms include loud snoring, daytime fatigue, poor concentration and morning headaches. Treatments range from continuous‑positive‑airway pressure therapy to positional adjustments and lifestyle changes such as weight control and sleep‑environment improvements.