Over 100 million Americans have tested positive for covid-19. An estimated 10% of those infected suffer from long COVID, the overarching term used to describe specific COVID symptoms that extend weeks, months, or even years post-initial infection. New research from the National Institute of Health’s RECOVER (Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery) initiative has revealed that people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea are not only at a higher risk for severe COVID infections but are at a higher risk of developing long COVID.

How is sleep apnea linked to Long COVID?

Sleep apnea is a sleep health disorder characterized by breathing that stops and starts intermittently throughout the night. While it is estimated that over 30 million people in the US suffer from sleep apnea, over 80% of those who have it go undiagnosed. Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form of this condition, is caused by muscles that relax during sleep, resulting in blocked upper airways.

The NIH RECOVER study findings were published in the journal Sleep and represent the largest collaborative effort to study long COVID and its relationship to sleep apnea. Three separate cohorts comprised over 1 million patients who tested positive for COVID between March of 2020 and February of 2022. Even when researchers accounted for obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, all known to contribute to long COVID and common comorbidities in sleep apnea, the increased risk for long COVID in patients with sleep apnea persisted.

Similar symptoms

The NIH RECOVER study published many of the commonalities between sleep apnea and long COVID. Brain fog and extreme daytime fatigue are common sleep apnea symptoms and the two most common symptoms of long COVID.

Who is most at risk for Long COVID?

One interesting finding was that the risk for women was significantly higher than for men. While more research is needed in this area, one possible explanation is that women often go undiagnosed longer than men.

Older individuals are at a higher risk for COVID, and sleep apnea is most common in those over 50. People with other health problems, ranging from diabetes to lung or heart issues, are also at a higher risk for COVID and are often present in sleep apnea patients. But the correlation between long COVID and sleep apnea should not come as a surprise given that the comorbidities common in sleep apnea put those individuals at higher risk for COVID.

Prevention is key

This study reinforces the need for preventative actions such as early screening for sleep apnea and getting vaccinated for COVID if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. By taking precautions and avoiding infection, you can reduce the likelihood of experiencing long COVID. Sleep apnea can harm your immune system and cause more inflammation.

What should adults with sleep apnea do if diagnosed with COVID?

If a sleep apnea patient gets a COVID infection, it is essential to check for long COVID symptoms post-infection. Early diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea are important not just for a good night's sleep but also for overall health, as it can lead to more serious comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and stroke if left untreated.