Sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during rest, is far more common than most people realize. According to recent research, approximately one in four or five men over 30 has at least some sleep-related breathing issues, making it a surprisingly widespread health concern that often goes undiagnosed.
Dr. Michael Grandner, a leading sleep researcher at the University of Arizona, emphasizes that “the first thing to know about sleep apnea is it is surprisingly common.”
Joe Rogan and Dana White have both admitted to suffering from it in the past. Sleep apnea also affects fitness conscious men, disproportionately affectign those with bigger necks. Derek of More Plates More Dates channel was told he would have a stroke from apnea since he was in his early 20s.
For men with a BMI over 30, the statistics become even more alarming—it’s closer to a 50/50 chance. While women are affected less frequently, about one in every 15 to 20 women also develop the condition.
This prevalence stems from human anatomy itself. Unlike most mammals whose airways form a straight line from nose to lungs, humans evolved to walk upright, creating a 90-degree angle in our breathing passage. This bend, located around the throat area, becomes a vulnerable point where the airway can narrow or collapse during sleep.
Many people associate sleep apnea with loud snoring and obvious breathing interruptions, but the condition often presents more subtly.
Dr. Grandner told Dr Rhonda Patrick that he frequently sees patients who describe waking up in the middle of the night due to “stress,” when the real culprit is likely a respiratory event.
“Stress doesn’t wake you up,” he explains. “What happens is if you wake up and you’re thinking I’m stressed, your brain is reading signals like elevated heart rate, elevated respiratory rate… It’s reading these physical signs and then because we live in the society we live in, stress is readily available.”
Other less obvious presentations include consistently shallow rest, frequent awakenings without clear cause, and feeling unrefreshed despite spending adequate time in bed. Athletes and otherwise healthy individuals may notice their performance declining without understanding why.
Left untreated, sleep apnea creates far-reaching health problems beyond poor sleep. The condition causes intermittent drops in oxygen levels throughout the night—not necessarily dangerous drops, but constant fluctuations that stress every cell in the body. This creates what
Dr. Grandner describes as “constantly putting out all these little fires all over the place.”
The result is oxidative stress that affects multiple organ systems.
“Untreated sleep apnea can lead to liver problems, kidney problems, brain problems because every cell that relies on oxygen starts getting stressed,” notes Dr. Grandner.
The condition is also a known risk factor for neurodegeneration, particularly when severe, and can significantly impact cognitive function, memory and emotional regulation.
While CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines remain the gold standard treatment, other effective options exist. Mandibular advancement devices—essentially retainers that push the jaw forward during sleep—work well for many people, especially those with mild to moderate sleep apnea. These devices create enough muscle tone to keep the airway open without the complexity of CPAP equipment.
Other treatments include myofunctional therapy to strengthen airway muscles, newer devices like Inspire (an implantable pacemaker for tongue muscles), and positional therapy for those whose apnea occurs primarily when sleeping on their back.
Given the prevalence and serious consequences of untreated sleep apnea,
Dr. Grandner maintains “a very low threshold for screening.”
Modern home sleep tests make diagnosis more accessible than ever, using devices worn on the wrist or as a strap that measure oxygen levels and breathing patterns throughout the night.
The key message is clear: if you’re experiencing unexplained fatigue, frequent awakenings, or shallow rest—especially if you’re a man over 30—sleep apnea testing should be a priority. With one in four men affected by this condition, it’s far too common and treatable to ignore. Early detection and treatment can dramatically improve not just sleep quality but overall health and cognitive performance.
