Screening for Sleep Apnea

The first step in diagnosing sleep apnea is identifying whether you’re at risk. One of the most effective tools for screening is the STOP-BANG questionnaire, which asks a series of eight simple questions. Based on your answers, this tool can help determine whether you should pursue further diagnostic testing.

Here’s what the STOP-BANG questionnaire looks at:
- S: Do you snore loudly (louder than talking or the sound of a sleeping person)?
- T: Do you often feel tired, fatigued, or sleepy during the daytime?
- O: Has anyone observed you stop breathing while you sleep?
- P: Do you have high blood pressure or are you being treated for it?
- B: BMI greater than 35?
- A: Age over 50?
- N: Neck circumference greater than 40 cm (15.75 inches)?
- G: Are you male?

If you score high on the STOP-BANG questionnaire (4 or more “yes” answers), it indicates a high likelihood of sleep apnea and the need for further testing. Please discuss with your doctor if you are concerned about sleep apnea.