How Common Is Sleep Apnea?

You might be surprised how many sleepy yetis are out there. Sleep apnea is very common, yet many people don’t realize they may be at risk. Because untreated sleep apnea can affect your overall health, it’s worth taking a closer look—better safe than sorry!

Sleep Apnea in Canada

According to Statistics Canada, about 6.4% of Canadians were diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2016–17. However, experts believe as many as 80% of cases go undiagnosed. That means an estimated 5.4 million Canadian adults may be living with sleep apnea or at high risk without knowing it.

Who Is at Risk?

Sleep apnea can be hard to spot. Many symptoms—like snoring or breathing pauses—happen during sleep, while daytime symptoms such as fatigue or poor focus are often brushed off as “just being tired.”

You may be at higher risk if you are:

• An older adult – Risk increases with age
• Male – About 1 in 4 men are considered high risk
• Overweight – Extra weight can increase airway blockage

Even small lifestyle changes, like regular light exercise, have been shown to improve symptoms for some people.