High Risk for Sleep Apnea? Your Next Steps Explained

Receiving a “high-risk” result from a sleep apnea screening tool like our OSA Risk Assessment Quiz can feel unsettling, but it’s actually a positive first step. It means you’ve identified a potential health issue that is highly treatable.

Remember, a screening quiz is not a diagnosis. It’s a sign that you should take the next steps to get a definitive answer from a healthcare professional. This guide will walk you through exactly what to do.

Step 1: Don’t Panic. Take a Breath.

First and foremost, a high-risk score is simply an indicator. Many people who are at high risk live full, healthy lives by managing their condition effectively. You’ve taken a crucial step toward better health just by becoming aware of the possibility.

Step 2: Schedule an Appointment with Your Doctor

This is your most important next step.

• Who to see? Start with your primary care physician (PCP) or a general practitioner. They are equipped to handle the initial evaluation.
• What to do? Call their office, and when you make the appointment, say something like: “I recently took a sleep apnea screening questionnaire and my results indicated a high risk. I’d like to discuss my sleep symptoms and the results with the doctor.”

Step 3: Prepare for Your Doctor’s Appointment

To make your appointment as productive as possible, gather some information beforehand.

• Bring Your Quiz Results: Mention the specific quiz you took (e.g., based on STOP-Bang criteria) and your score.
• List Your Symptoms: Write down all the symptoms you’ve been experiencing, even if they seem unrelated. Include things like:
  • Loud snoring
  • Daytime sleepiness (mention your Epworth Sleepiness Scale score if you have it)
  • Observed pauses in breathing (ask your sleep partner)
  • Waking up gasping or choking
  • Morning headaches
  • Difficulty concentrating
• Ask Your Partner: If you have a sleep partner, ask them to describe what they hear or see while you’re asleep. This information is incredibly valuable for your doctor.

Step 4: Understand the Path to Diagnosis: The Sleep Study

If your doctor agrees that your symptoms and risk factors warrant further investigation, they will likely refer you for a sleep study (polysomnography). This is the only way to definitively diagnose sleep apnea.

• What is it? A sleep study is a non-invasive, overnight test that monitors what happens in your body while you sleep. It tracks your brain waves, heart rate, breathing patterns, blood oxygen levels, and limb movements.
• Where is it done? It can be done either in a specialized sleep lab or, in many cases, with a portable home sleep test (HST) kit that your doctor prescribes.
• What does it show? The study will determine if you have OSA and, if so, its severity (mild, moderate, or severe). This is measured by the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), which is the number of breathing pauses you experience per hour of sleep.

Step 5: Discuss Treatment Options

If you are diagnosed with OSA, your doctor will discuss treatment options. The goal of treatment is to keep your airway open while you sleep, allowing you to breathe continuously.

• CPAP Therapy: The most common and effective treatment. A machine delivers mild air pressure through a mask to keep your airway open.
• Oral Appliances: A custom-fitted dental device that repositions your jaw to keep the airway open.
• Lifestyle Changes: Weight loss, exercise, and avoiding alcohol can significantly improve or even resolve mild cases of OSA.

You’ve Taken the Most Important Step

Identifying your risk is the first and most critical part of the journey. By following these steps and working with a healthcare provider, you can get a clear diagnosis and an effective treatment plan. Managing OSA can dramatically improve your energy levels, your mood, your long-term health, and your overall quality of life.