Warning Signs
Learn to recognize the warning signs of sleep apnea and discover how identifying these symptoms can lead to better sleep and improved health.
What Are The Warning Signs Of Sleep Apnea
The warning signs of sleep apnea are often subtle, but they can have a major impact on your health, straining your body and increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and more. From loud snoring to choking or gasping for air in your sleep, the signs are there—you just need to recognize them. Catching sleep apnea early can make all the difference, potentially saving your life. So, if you’re wondering how to tell if someone has sleep apnea—or suspect it in yourself—pay attention to these key warning signs.
If you’ve noticed a friend or family member struggling with sleep, it could be more than just a bad night. It’s time to take a closer look at the signs—because your loved one’s health could be at risk.
How To Tell If Someone Has Sleep Apnea?
INSOMNIA
When your airway is repeatedly blocked, your brain wakes you up to restart normal breathing, disrupting your sleep cycle—this results in tossing and turning, preventing you from getting a full night’s rest.
SNORING
Snoring occurs when airflow is partially obstructed during sleep, causing vibrations in the airway. Persistent, loud snoring can be an indicator of an airway blockage—something that should be taken seriously.
EXHAUSTION
The fragmented sleep caused by interrupted breathing throughout the night leaves you feeling drained and sluggish during the day, no matter how long you’ve been in bed.
HEADACHES
Waking up with a headache is a sign that your oxygen levels were compromised overnight. Sleep apnea can prevent adequate oxygen intake, leading to morning headaches caused by low blood oxygen levels or tension in the neck and head.
WAKING UP CHOKING
Gasping or choking in your sleep is one of the most telling signs of sleep apnea; it happens when your airway is blocked, and your body momentarily struggles to get air, often waking you up in a panic.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
High blood pressure is often linked to sleep apnea because the repeated oxygen deprivation stresses the heart and blood vessels, which puts additional strain on the cardiovascular system, leading to hypertension that’s tough to control with medication alone.
PAUSES IN BREATHING
One of the most alarming signs of sleep apnea is the actual pause in breathing during sleep—these pauses can last for several seconds and are followed by gasping or choking as the body tries to resume normal breathing.
TROUBLE FOCUSING
Difficulty concentrating or "brain fog" during the day is a result of poor-quality sleep. Sleep apnea prevents the deep, restorative sleep your brain needs, making it harder to stay alert and focused throughout the day.
MOOD CHANGES
Mood swings, irritability, and even depression are common in people with untreated sleep apnea—the lack of quality sleep affects your brain chemistry, making it harder to regulate emotions and stress levels.
EXPERIENCES
"I never realized how low my energy levels had gotten until I saw an ad on Instagram for a sleep test. Even though I didn’t snore loudly and worked out five days a week as an active and athletic person, I discovered I had sleep apnea and needed a CPAP. Fast forward six months, and the difference is incredible—my energy levels, motivation, and mood have drastically improved, and I wake up every day feeling excited and ready to take on the day."
SLEEP QUIZ
Wondering if you’re at risk for sleep apnea? Take our brief online assessment to get your risk score.
TAKE THE QUIZ
AT HOME TEST
Skip the sleep lab and get tested in the comfort of your home. We’ll deliver the test kit to your door and, once completed, get your results to you in as little as 24 hours.
ORDER HOME TESTSLEEP APNEA FAQ
The most telling symptom of sleep apnea is frequent pauses in breathing during sleep, often followed by choking or gasping as the body struggles to get air.
This interruption in breathing is a clear sign that the airway is obstructed, a hallmark of sleep apnea.
The first step in testing for sleep apnea is to complete an easy online sleep apnea assessment with iSleep.
This quick and simple assessment helps identify potential symptoms and determines if further testing is needed. If your results show you are at high-risk for sleep apnea, you’ll want to take an at-home sleep apnea test.
You can test yourself for sleep apnea with iSleep’s convenient at-home sleep study, using WatchPAT™ kits. Our FDA-approved tests are easy to use and provide accurate results without the hassle of expensive doctor visits or long waits.
Plus, you’ll have access to a dedicated sleep coach throughout the process to guide you every step of the way.
Start your test today and take the first step toward better sleep from the comfort of your home.
The first stage of sleep apnea typically begins with loud snoring, which occurs as the airway partially obstructs during sleep.
This snoring is often the first noticeable sign, and while it may seem harmless, it can indicate the beginning of sleep apnea, where breathing becomes increasingly interrupted throughout the night.
Signs that you stop breathing while sleeping include waking up gasping or choking, feeling like you can’t catch your breath, or experiencing episodes of shortness of breath throughout the night.
These interruptions in breathing are key indicators of sleep apnea and should be addressed immediately to avoid further health risks.
