Sleep apnea raises the risk of chronic illness and premature death by as much as 40% for middle-aged and older men, according to an article in HealthDay that summarizes the findings of a recent study. Even moderate sleep apnea was found to increase the risk of premature death by 17%. The study also showed that decreased levels of oxygen during sleep apnea are the cause of the health problems---such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke---and of premature death. Given the alarming findings of the decade-long study, the researchers stressed the need for physicians to pay attention to their patients' sleep patterns. A common condition, sleep apnea affects one in four men and one in ten women; symptoms include loud snoring, interrupted breathing, and interrupted sleep.