Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea can lead to increased risk of:
 

1. Relationship and marital discord. Loud snoring noises can disrupt the sleep of not only the snorer but also the snorer's bed partner and others in the household. This can be a source of great frustration and anger in their relationship.
2. Heart attack, stroke, or even death. Research confirms that people with sleep apnea have a higher incidence of high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. It is estimated that 38,000 people in the United States die each year from the effects of obstructive sleep apnea.
3. Industrial and traffic accidents caused by daytime sleepiness and fatigue. People with obstructive sleep apnea have a three times greater risk of having an automobile accident than the general population and a seven times greater risk of multiple accidents. The snorer's bed partner also has an increased risk of traffic accidents because of fatigue from disrupted sleep.
4. Lost productivity at home and work from daytime sleepiness due to lack of restful sleep.
5. Depression as a result of lost productivity, relationship discord, accidents, and health problems.