Sleep apnea patients skyrocket 341% in five years...Risk of acute cardiac arrest ↑

The number of patients with sleep apnea, whose breathing continues to stop or become irregular while sleeping, has more than tripled in five years.

According to data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of sleep apnea patients surged 341% from 45,67 in 2018 to 153,882 in 2023.

The incidence of sleep apnea was high in men in their 30s and 40s, and in women in their 50s and 60s.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said people with sleep apnea have a 54% higher risk of acute cardiac arrest than those without sleep apnea.

In particular, the risk of acute cardiac arrest increased by 76% among 18 to 64 years of age without cardiovascular disease.

In addition, sleep apnea was analyzed as a more dangerous factor than smoking or obesity among the factors that cause acute cardiac arrest.