The Weight Connection

One of the strongest links to sleep apnea is obesity¹. In fact, some studies suggest that 60-90% of people with sleep apnea are overweight or obese². Carrying extra weight around the neck and abdomen can narrow the airway, making it harder to breathe normally at night. This relationship between sleep apnea and obesity goes both ways. Obesity not only raises the risk of sleep apnea, but sleep apnea itself can make it harder to lose weight².

When you get poor sleep, it disrupts key hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism². People with sleep apnea often develop leptin resistance². Leptin is a hormone that helps regulate appetite by signalling to the brain when the body has eaten enough. When leptin resistance occurs, the brain no longer recognises these “I’m full” messages, leading to increased hunger and potential weight gain^2,3. As a result, appetite tends to rise while metabolism slows down, making it easier to gain weight. Over time, this creates a cycle where increased weight further worsens sleep apnea and heightens the risk of heart and metabolic problems².

Additionally, inflammatory proteins are elevated in people with both obesity and sleep apnea, which can further promote insulin resistance and daytime fatigue². Together, these changes create the perfect environment for metabolic syndrome, a condition that dramatically raises the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes².

Heart Disease

Sleep apnea and heart disease are closely connected. In people with heart failure, sleep-disordered breathing is strikingly common, affecting around 40-60% of patients¹. The repeated pauses in breathing during sleep cause drops in oxygen levels and sudden awakenings throughout the night. Over time, this ongoing strain can place significant stress on the heart and worsen existing heart problems¹.

Each episode of sleep apnea triggers a surge of stress hormones, spikes in blood pressure, and sudden changes in chest pressure. These nightly stressors contribute to inflammation, stress, and increased workload on the heart¹. A recent analysis found that 12.8% of patients with obstructive sleep apnea developed heart failure⁴. For people with heart failure, this can mean worsening symptoms, more hospitalisations, and a higher risk of death¹. Even in people without heart disease, untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of developing heart failure later in life⁵.

Breaking the Cycle

Fortunately, there’s hope. Weight management, regular physical activity, and quality sleep can dramatically improve both metabolic health and sleep apnea symptoms. Treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy can work to keep the airway open overnight, reducing strain on the heart and improving daytime energy levels. In combination with lifestyle changes, getting treatment for sleep apnea can reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality risk⁶.

Your heart, weight, and sleep are all connected, and caring for one often helps the others. If you snore loudly, wake up gasping, or feel exhausted even after a full night’s sleep, don’t ignore it. If you are concerned about your sleep health, talk to your general practitioner or speak to one of our sleep consultants at Sove CPAP Clinic. Treating sleep apnea isn’t just about better rest; it’s about giving your heart and your whole body the chance to function at its best.

How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help

Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time.

If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au.

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply.

References

1. Yeghiazarians, Yerem, et al. “Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association.” Circulation, vol. 144, no. 3, July 2021, pp. e56–67, https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000988.
2. Girardin Jean-Louis, et al. “Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease: Role of the Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components.” Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, vol. 4, no. 3, June 2008, p. 261, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2546461/.
3. Dornbush, Sean, and Narothama R. Aeddula. “Physiology, Leptin.” PubMed, StatPearls Publishing, 10 Apr. 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537038/.
4. Prechaporn, Wisarud, et al. “Pooled Prevalences of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Heart Failure Reviews, vol. 29, no. 4, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, May 2024, pp. 811–26, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10741-024-10399-6.
5. Holt, Anders, et al. “Sleep Apnea, the Risk of Developing Heart Failure, and Potential Benefits of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy.” Journal of the American Heart Association, vol. 7, no. 13, July 2018, https://doi.org/10.1161/jaha.118.008684.
6. Benjafield, Adam V., et al. “Positive Airway Pressure Therapy and All‐Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in People with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.” The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, Elsevier BV, Mar. 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/s2213-2600(25)00002-5.