Sleep Apnea and COVID-19: Everything You Need to Know

In March 2020, a novel coronavirus spread across the globe, and COVID-19 entered our vocabulary and our lives for the first time. A year later, as we fight back against the pandemic, many people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have questions about the virus specific to their diagnosis—especially since both sleep apnea and COVID-19 affect breathing and oxygen levels.

While research and information changes daily, and while we are constantly learning more about both coronavirus and sleep apnea, we’ve answered some of the most common questions we get to the best of our ability, based on what we know now.

Is obstructive sleep apnea linked with poor COVID-19 patient outcomes?

Studies about sleep apnea and COVID are limited, but from what we know so far, researchers believe that people with obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to be hospitalized and more likely to experience complications if they contract the virus.

Specifically, a 2021 study published in the American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC) found that sleep apnea is an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 resulting in hospitalization. That is, even if patients have other risk factors for both OSA and COVID-19, such as age, sex, BMI, hypertension, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, they are still at higher risk for poor COVID outcomes based only on their sleep apnea diagnosis.

A second study, published in Sleep and Breathing, found that OSA patients were both more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19 as well more likely to be hospitalized and more likely to suffer respiratory failure.

Can having sleep apnea get me vaccinated sooner?

Despite the evidence listed above, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has not included obstructive sleep apnea on its official list of medical conditions that should be prioritized during vaccine rollout.

As such, those suffering from OSA are not generally prioritized to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

However, it’s worth noting that many people diagnosed with sleep apnea have risk factors that are listed by the CDC or belong to demographics that are prioritized by the CDC for inoculation.

These include:

Being older.
Having a higher BMI that classifies you as overweight or obese.
Hypertension
Diabetes
Coronary heart disease
Asthma
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

What should I do if I have sleep apnea and am diagnosed with COVID-19?

If you have sleep apnea and test positive for COVID-19, first know that the outcomes for all people who contract the virus are generally good, but for a small minority, consequences can be serious. It’s vital to rest, watch your symptoms, and report anything troubling to your doctor immediately. If you are having trouble breathing, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

While this post does not contain medical advice, here are some tips for managing sleep apnea and COVID-19:

During your quarantine, you should isolate yourself from others according to local restrictions, including sleeping away from others if possible.
You should continue to use your CPAP machine after your diagnosis, if you use one, although follow the recommendations of your doctor. There is no evidence that using CPAP worsens COVID symptoms.
During and after your COVID-19 diagnosis, be sure to clean your CPAP regularly if you use one. Follow the cleaning instructions provided by the machine’s manufacturer.
A fingertip oxygen meter is an easy and affordable way to track your oxygen levels at home and may help you determine if you have concerning symptoms.

If I have sleep apnea, is that a medical reason not to wear a mask?

No, an obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis should not prevent you from wearing any type of mask during your waking hours. The CDC currently recommends mask wearing in public, and you should follow any state, county, or city mandates surrounding masking. Multiple studies have found that masks help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Could having COVID-19 make my sleep apnea permanently worse?

Because COVID-19 is so new, it is impossible to know its long-term effects at this time. Speak with your doctor if you are suffering from lingering symptoms of COVID-19 or if you believe your sleep apnea has been adversely affected by having the virus.

How is COVID-19 affecting sleep apnea treatment?

The COVID-19 pandemic has not been kind to our ability to sleep, with multiple studies finding that the general population is having more trouble getting restful sleep, and that more people are suffering from common sleep ailments.

When it comes to sleep apnea, a recent survey found that a significant number of people with OSA have stopped using their CPAP machine (36% in 2020 versus 18% in 2021), and that a big reason for this drop is COVID-19. Respondents shared that financial challenges (55%) and limited access of supplies (44%) were two big pandemic-related reasons they had stopped treating their sleep apnea.

COVID-19 also makes it more difficult for those who think they have sleep apnea to get diagnosed and treated. While an increase in telehealth over the past year has made it easier for people to seek help for sleep issues, it has been harder for others to get scheduled for in-person sleep studies.

Your doctor knows best

Again, all of the above answers may change over time. The best way to get up-to-date information about COVID-19 and sleep apnea is to talk to your doctor or your local health department.

If you wish to learn more about alternatives to the CPAP machine and surgical solutions to OSA, please contact us today.