Fast Facts from the 2009 Canadian Community Health Survey
Sleep apnea is a sleep related breathing disorder. The word apnea means 'no breathing', and sleep apnea refers to pauses in breathing that occur during sleep. On average, these pauses last for 10 to 30 seconds, until the brain reacts to overcome the problem. With each episode of apnea, blood oxygen levels are reduced (hypoxia), and sleep is disturbed as the sleeper must wake briefly to resume breathing. However, the sleeper typically does not become fully awake, and usually has no recollection of the awakening. This cycle happens repeatedly throughout the night, interfering with the normal sleep pattern that one needs to feel rested and refreshed in the morning.
Sleep disturbances and repeated reductions in blood oxygen levels result in excessive daytime sleepiness, reduced quality of life, and impaired cognitive function such as memory loss and poor concentration. Additionally, sleepiness, which is the primary symptom of sleep apnea, increases the risk of motor vehicle collisions and work-related injuries. Sleep apnea is associated with serious health conditions that include: hypertension, ischemic heart disease, irregular heart beat, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, depression, and type 2 diabetes.Footnote1-6
- An estimated 858,900 (3%) Canadian adults 18 years and older reported being told by a health professional that they have sleep apnea.
- In addition to those who reported being diagnosed with sleep apnea, over 1 in 4 (26%) adults reported symptoms and risk factors that are associated with a high risk of having or developing obstructive sleep apnea.
- Individuals with sleep apnea had other chronic conditions.
- Many Canadians were diagnosed with sleep apnea without the benefit of sleep laboratory testing.
In addition to the people who reported being diagnosed with sleep apnea, over one in four adults reported symptoms and risk factors that are associated with a high risk of having or developing obstructive sleep apneaFootnotea, the most common form of sleep apnea.
- Over one in four Canadian adults (26%) was at high risk for having obstructive sleep apnea based on the presence of three or more of seven risk factors/symptoms for obstructive sleep apnea: snoring loud enough to be heard through closed doors; often feeling tired, fatigued, or sleepy during the daytime; having been observed to stop breathing during their sleep; having been diagnosed with high blood pressure; having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 kg/mFootnote2; being over the age of 50 years; and being male.Footnote7
- 73% of adults at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea were men, and 76% were over the age of 50 years.
- 12% of adults at high risk of obstructive sleep apnea were obese with a BMI greater than 35 kg/mFootnote2, based on self-reported height and weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of developing sleep apnea.
Individuals with sleep apnea had other chronic conditions.
- Compared to the general adult population, Canadian adults who reported being diagnosed with sleep apnea were:
- 2.5 times more likely to report having diabetes;
- 1.8 times more likely to report hypertension;
- 2.2 times more likely to report heart disease; and,
- 2.2 times more likely to report a mood disorder such as depression, bipolar disorder, mania or dysthymia.
Many Canadians were diagnosed with sleep apnea without the benefit of sleep laboratory testing.
- To be diagnosed with sleep apnea, guidelines published by the Canadian Thoracic Society recommend that an individual undergo polysomnography testing at a sleep laboratory.Footnote1 However, portable home monitoring devices are also sometimes used to test for sleep apnea.
- 23% of Canadian adults who reported being told by a health professional that they have sleep apnea also reported that they were never referred to a sleep laboratory for overnight testing, while 77% reported that they were referred for overnight testing.
- While many individuals with sleep apnea were receiving treatment, most were still overweight or obese, a key factor in obstructive sleep apnea.
While many individuals with sleep apnea were receiving treatment, most were still overweight or obese, a key factor in obstructive sleep apnea.
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), which provides pressurized air through a mask to prevent upper airway collapse, is the primary treatment option for patients with sleep apnea.
- Other treatment options for sleep apnea include behavioural treatments such as weight loss, avoidance of alcohol and sedatives, and oral or dental appliances to re-align the oral cavity.Footnote1
- 71% of Canadian adults who reported being told by a health professional that they had sleep apnea also reported being prescribed some treatment for this condition.
- 89% of adults with sleep apnea were overweight or obese, based on self-reported height and weight.