What Happens If You Don’t Use Your CPAP Machine?
There are many studies and articles about the positive benefits of using a CPAP machine to alleviate or eliminate the negative impact of sleep apnea. Much less is written about the implications of having sleep apnea and ignoring it or not using your CPAP machine.
Having sleep apnea can be a very serious condition. Unfortunately, studies show nearly 80% of the people who suffer from sleep apnea go undiagnosed. Many people just pass it off as being tired from daily living. Anyone who works, and also has to manage a household with children knows how easy it is to blame the stresses of life for this. However, there is significant evidence that sleep apnea can disrupt more than your sleep. As the study of sleep disorders and, in particular, sleep apnea expands, more conditions are being linked to the lack of or constant fragmentation of sleep.
Health Risks Of Not Using A CPAP Machine
Sleep apnea is defined by pauses in breathing. Just the thought of not breathing while asleep should be concern enough. When a person stops breathing, oxygen levels in the blood falls and both blood pressure and heart rate rises. In essence, the brain is trying to tell the body to wake up. This cycle can happen hundreds of times a night. From mild to severe, people with sleep apnea are at risk for many medical conditions along with other daily living difficulties.
Daily Challenges Of Not Using A CPAP Machine
When a person has sleep apnea, there is a constant feeling of being tired. Waking up is difficult, falling asleep while driving occurs, lack of motivation, concentration and focus are problems at work. Agitation and irritation levels also rise. The lack of sleep impacts daily life in areas including family, work and friendships. Every task seems to be a challenge and depression tends to set in.
Obesity From Not Using A CPAP Machine
Which comes first, obesity or sleep apnea? Although the jury is still out on that question, there is a clear link between sleep apnea and obesity. The mechanics and traits of a person with sleep apnea certainly point towards being overweight. Snoring, large neck circumference, and a body mass index of over 30 are a few of the factors which contribute to sleep apnea. With about 65% of Americans now overweight or obese, the complications from sleep apnea are readily apparent. Motivation decreases, daytime tiredness increases and maintaining a proper weight becomes extremely difficult. Some doctors believe the best way to treat a weight problem is by treating the underlying sleep issue.
Diabetes From Not Using A CPAP Machine
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Millions of Americans now suffer from diabetes with many more people who may not know they have it. With Type 2 Diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin which aids in helping the body process glucose for energy. When a person lacks insulin, glucose builds up in the cells and can have devastating results. Not treating diabetes can result in high blood pressure, eye, foot and skin conditions, kidney problems, mental health issues and even stoke. Up to 40% of people with sleep apnea also have diabetes.
High Blood Pressure From Not Using A CPAP Machine
In a study by Johns Hopkins in 2000, it found that people who suffer from moderate to severe sleep apnea were at increased risk for having hypertension. About 50-70% of people with sleep apnea have high blood pressure. As most know, high blood pressure increases the risk for heart attack, stroke, and other health problems. The studies of author Javier Nieto, MD, associate professor, Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health noted that “sleep apnea may be one of the reasons why overweight people are at increased risk for high blood pressure."
Effects on Heart From Not Using A CPAP Machine
The risk for cardiovascular disease increases due to several mechanisms. Sleep apnea can lead to activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This is responsible for the “fight-or-flight” response. Imagine the stress on your body that occurs when a lion is chasing you, this is the sympathetic nervous system at work. In addition, sleep apnea leads to problems with the lining of blood vessels, inflammation, and problems with metabolic regulation. All of these can cause problems with blood vessels and lead to major problems like a heart attack.
Stroke or Heart Failure From Not Using A CPAP Machine
According to the Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care, among the general population sleep apnea increases the likelihood of having a stroke. Additionally, sleep apnea is both a risk factor for a stroke and a serious complication after having a stroke. As per the same study, 60% of stroke patients experience sleep apnea. Furthermore, when apneic events occur, the decreased levels of oxygen can cause blood vessels in the lungs to constrict. This increases the blood pressure in these vessels, and over time can lead to heart failure.
Using a CPAP Machine
Undoubtedly, all of these ailments and illnesses can be and are life-threatening. Treating sleep apnea with a CPAP therapy which includes a CPAP machine and CPAP mask is an effective and non-invasive treatment for sleep apnea. Being compliant on CPAP can help eliminate many of these risks associated with sleep apnea.
The CPAP Shop enhances the lives of people with sleep apnea through information and high quality therapeutic products. If you have questions about CPAP Therapy please call (866) 414-9700, or you can contact us through our website at thecpapshop.com.
This post was updated with the latest information in January 2026.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is the gold standard treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Yet, statistics show that non-compliance remains a significant challenge, with a high percentage of patients failing to use their machine for the recommended 4+ hours per night.
If you are struggling with your CPAP machine—perhaps due to mask discomfort, dry air, or the feeling of confinement—it is crucial to understand that the risks of skipping therapy are far greater than any minor discomfort. Untreated sleep apnea is not just about snoring or feeling tired; it is a serious, life-altering condition that puts immense strain on your entire cardiovascular and metabolic system every single night.
Here are the seven most significant, often life-threatening, consequences of CPAP non-compliance and leaving your sleep apnea untreated.
The Cardiovascular Crisis
Every time breathing stops (an apnea event), your blood oxygen levels plummet (hypoxia). Your brain responds by releasing stress hormones to jolt your body awake, causing a spike in heart rate and blood pressure. This repetitive cycle, hundreds of times per night, is the core danger of OSA.
Hypertension
Untreated OSA is an independent risk factor for high blood pressure. The nightly surge in stress hormones and cardiovascular strain leads to elevated blood pressure that persists even during the day, often becoming resistant to medication. CPAP is proven to reduce blood pressure, particularly in patients with severe apnea.
Stroke and Heart Attack Risk
The strain and inflammation caused by chronic low oxygen levels promote the hardening of arteries (atherosclerosis). Studies show that patients with severe untreated OSA are significantly more likely to suffer both fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, including stroke and heart attack.
Cardiac Arrhythmias and Heart Failure
Untreated sleep apnea is strongly linked to irregular heart rhythms, especially Atrial Fibrillation (Afib). The frequent oxygen drops stress the heart muscle, increasing the risk of arrhythmias, and can worsen existing conditions like congestive heart failure by impairing the heart's ability to pump effectively.
Metabolic and Cognitive Impairment
The lack of restorative sleep and chronic stress hormones profoundly disrupt your body’s metabolic functions and cognitive abilities.
Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Fragmented sleep and constant stress hormone release (cortisol) disrupt the body's ability to regulate glucose. Untreated sleep apnea is associated with insulin resistance and higher blood sugar levels, dramatically increasing the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes—and making it harder to control if you already have it.
Accidents and Neurocognitive Decline
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) caused by fragmented sleep is equivalent to impaired driving. Untreated OSA dramatically increases the risk of motor vehicle accidents and workplace errors. Furthermore, chronic oxygen deprivation and sleep fragmentation have been linked to long-term issues with memory consolidation, concentration, and potentially an increased risk of dementia later in life.
Worsened Mental Health and Quality of Life
The lack of deep, restorative sleep makes it impossible for the brain to recover. This leads to chronic irritability, mood swings, anxiety, and a higher prevalence of depression. The constant fatigue erodes motivation, impacting job performance, physical activity, and social relationships.
Surgical Complications
If you need to undergo major surgery requiring general anesthesia or pain medication, untreated OSA puts you at a higher risk of complications. Sedatives relax the throat muscles even further, making airway collapse much more likely during and after the procedure. It is vital to inform surgical teams about your condition and your CPAP use.
The Solution: Commitment to Compliance
The good news is that these severe risks are largely preventable and reversible through consistent, nightly CPAP use. Regular, compliant CPAP therapy—defined by Medicare as at least 4 hours per night, 70% of the time—has been shown to:
-
Lower blood pressure.
-
Reduce cardiovascular risk.
-
Improve blood sugar control.
-
Restore cognitive function and memory.
If you are struggling with compliance, remember that mask technology has advanced dramatically. Leaks, discomfort, and noise are often solved with a simple mask change, a humidifier adjustment, or switching to a quiet APAP machine. Never stop therapy. Work with your doctor or CPAP supplier to troubleshoot your issues and find a comfortable solution. For assistance with your CPAP therapy, call our expert team at The CPAP Shop at 866-414-9700.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
ResMed Mirage FX for Her nasal mask complete system21 ReviewsAs low as $115.00 Regular Price $127.00
-
-
-
-
React Health Lumin CPAP Cleaner For Mask and Accessories17 ReviewsSpecial Price $259.00 Regular Price $336.00 -
