Central Sleep Apnea
A sleep-related breathing disorder involving repeated pauses in breathing during sleep due to reduced respiratory effort, rather than airway obstruction.
Overview
Central sleep apnea involves repeated episodes of reduced or absent respiratory effort during sleep, without airway obstruction, often associated with underlying heart failure, stroke, or high-altitude exposure.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms can include pauses in breathing during sleep witnessed by others, disrupted sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness, sometimes with less prominent snoring than obstructive sleep apnea. Experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has this condition. Diagnosis requires an appropriate clinical evaluation.
Causes and Risk Factors
Central sleep apnea is often related to underlying heart failure, brainstem or neurological conditions, opioid medication use, or high altitude.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis should be made by a qualified healthcare professional following a comprehensive clinical assessment. Clinicians may use established diagnostic frameworks such as DSM-5-TR and/or ICD-11 as part of a comprehensive assessment.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the individual’s symptoms, clinical history, severity, age, co-occurring conditions, and other relevant factors.
Psychotherapy
Treatment focuses primarily on addressing the underlying medical cause alongside breathing support therapies.
Medication
Positive airway pressure therapy, sometimes with adaptive servo-ventilation, and management of underlying conditions are standard treatment approaches. Medication decisions should be made with a qualified prescribing healthcare professional. Do not start, stop, or change a prescribed medication based solely on information on this page.
Living With Central Sleep Apnea
Managing underlying cardiac or neurological conditions is central to reducing central sleep apnea episodes.
When to Seek Professional Help
Professional evaluation may be appropriate if symptoms persist, worsen, cause significant distress, or interfere with work, school, or relationships.
Emergency Situations
If a person may be in immediate danger, is experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, or may harm themselves or another person, seek immediate assistance through appropriate local emergency services.
Outlook
Outcomes depend substantially on treatment of the underlying cause; many individuals improve with targeted therapy.
Related Conditions
Medical Information Disclaimer
Ratel Health provides general educational information and does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment, or individualized medical advice. Information on this page is not a substitute for evaluation or care from a qualified healthcare professional. Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or another person, or to start, stop, or change treatment or medication without consulting an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
References
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR).
- National Institute of Mental Health.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- World Health Organization. International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision.