A staggering 80% of people with sleep apnea don’t know they have it. But for Black men , the statistics are even more alarming: research shows that while roughly 24% of African American males have undiagnosed sleep apnea, only a small percentage receive treatment.
What many dismiss as simple snoring or everyday exhaustion could actually be a serious sleep disorder linked to hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. To unpack this hidden epidemic, Dr. Kenneth Lee of the University of Chicago Sleep Center, helps us identify the subtle sleep apnea symptoms you might be ignoring—and why modern diagnosis no longer requires a night hooked up to laboratory wires.
The Hidden Epidemic
The National Sleep Foundation warns that sleep apnea affects 29 million people in the U.S. During Men’s Health Month, The Root is shedding light on the condition, which affects men two to three times more than women, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Lee said research shows “anywhere from about 15 to 30 percent of the [general] population has some degree of sleep apnea,” but about “80 percent of sleep apnea is not yet diagnosed.” For Black men, the prevalence is especially high. Lee told The Root that one study found only 5 percent of Black men received treatment for sleep apnea.
What’s Happening While You Sleep?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea, according to the Mayo Clinic, and occurs when the muscles relax and the throat narrows, blocking airflow to the lungs. When airflow is restricted, blood oxygen levels can drop, prompting the brain to wake the body so breathing can resume. According to Mayo, that pattern repeats 5 to 30 times an hour, impacting restorative rest.
Snoring is one of the clearest warning signs, but “Not everybody who snores has sleep apnea,” Lee stressed. “If you find yourself waking up trying to catch your breath, that’s a sign of sleep apnea,” he said, noting that partners can also help identify warning signs, such as pauses in breathing.
The Symptoms You Might Miss
Some symptoms are easier to miss. Lee said morning headaches, dry mouth, and exhaustion after getting what felt like a full night’s rest can all point to a problem. So can nodding off or low energy during the day.
Sleep apnea can lower job performance, too. “You may be prone to mistakes at work,” Lee said, noting that untreated sleep apnea can affect thinking, energy and safety. Another overlooked sign is waking up repeatedly at night to use the bathroom. “Some people will think, my bladder is just full, but sometimes that can actually be a sign of sleep apnea,” Lee said.
Serious Health Risks for Black Men
The dangers of sleep apnea go far beyond fatigue. Dr. Lee explained that the disorder is closely linked to serious health risks that already disproportionately affect Black men, including high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. That connection is particularly concerning, considering that nearly 60 percent of Black men have high blood pressure (hypertension), according to the American Heart Association. Left uncontrolled, hypertension can lead to heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney disease and death.
Lee added that untreated sleep apnea can contribute to long-term complications, including stroke and dementia.
Why So Many Men Don’t Know They Have It
Dr. Lee explained that unawareness is a major reason that sleep apnea is rarely diagnosed in Black men. Despite being a myth, “Snoring is often seen as a sign of getting good sleep,” Lee said. He also pointed to a lack of time or access as additional factors that interfere with diagnosis for Black men who are already more likely to have undiagnosed chronic conditions, according to an Annual Review of Public Health study.
But Lee explained that undiagnosis often comes down to the tendency to dismiss symptoms. “A lot of people will just say, ‘This is how I’ve been my entire life.’” But Lee elaborated, saying, “It may not necessarily have to be this way.”
The Truth About Diagnosis and Treatment
People may fear that a diagnosis means being hooked up to dozens of wired sensors like a lab rat. But modern technology has evolved. While Lee confirmed that a diagnosis still typically starts with a sleep study, which may be conducted in a lab, he explained that there are easier options. “Nowadays, there are simpler home sleep testing devices,” he said, noting that devices like the WatchPAT®, which goes around one finger and your wrist, collect data while you sleep.
Treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all either. While treatment could require a CPAP machine to increase air pressure, other options include oral appliances, positional therapy, weight-loss medications, and, for some patients, surgery. Lee encourages readers to work with a sleep expert to find the “sweet spot” for managing sleep apnea, noting that the benefits are worth it. “Once we get the sleep apnea treated, it can be a game-changer,” he said.
