Loud snoring is typically defined as snoring exceeding 40–50 decibels, similar to or louder than normal conversation (60 dB). In the context of sleep apnea, it can indicate potential airway obstruction, with studies showing average levels of 50–65 dB and severe cases reaching over 90 dB.

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) refers to an inability to stay awake and alert during the day, leading to unintended lapses into sleep or drowsiness. In OSA, it's a key symptom caused by sleep fragmentation from apneas and affects daily functioning, cognition, and mood.

Observed apneas are pauses in breathing during sleep lasting 10 seconds or more, often noticed by a bed partner as stopping breathing, gasping, or choking. You may experience waking up short of breath, with headaches, dry mouth, or feeling unrefreshed. In OSA, these events can occur 5 to over 30 times per hour.

Men are 2–3 times more likely to have OSA than premenopausal women due to differences in upper airway anatomy, fat distribution, and hormonal influences. Women's risk increases after menopause as protective effects of estrogen and progesterone diminish.

There is a bidirectional relationship: OSA can cause or exacerbate hypertension through intermittent hypoxia and sympathetic surges during apneas, leading to elevated blood pressure. Conversely, hypertension is a risk factor for OSA. Treating OSA with CPAP can reduce blood pressure.

Height is measured as the vertical distance from the floor to the top of your head when standing straight without shoes. We ask this to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI), a factor in assessing sleep apnea risk (BMI > 35 kg/m² adds to risk in screening tools like STOP-Bang).

Weight is used to compute your BMI. A BMI over 35 kg/m² is a risk factor for OSA as excess weight can contribute to airway narrowing.

Your age helps assess risk; individuals over 50 are at higher risk for OSA due to changes in muscle tone and other age-related factors.

Certain conditions and medications can make home sleep testing inaccurate or unsafe, requiring in-lab polysomnography instead. Opioids (e.g., morphine, codeine) can induce central apneas; alpha blockers (e.g., doxazosin) and short-acting nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin) may interfere with signal detection in HSAT devices. Serious heart/lung diseases (e.g., heart failure, COPD), and severe insomnia (difficulty falling/staying asleep most nights for months) are also exclusions due to complexity and need for monitoring.