Scientists are hopeful that a simple blood test can help predict the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Around 1.5 million adults in the UK suffer from the condition, which causes them to snore loudly and stop breathing during sleep. Most patients wake up with suffocation or difficulty breathing, while others experience extreme fatigue during the day.
According to a warning issued by SleepApnea.org, this condition can be fatal in some cases.
Research has shown that if this condition is not treated, the risk of heart disease in patients can increase by 30 percent and the risk of stroke by 60 percent.
Common risk factors for developing OSA include age, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and type 2 diabetes.
The research was published in the European Archives of Oto-Rhinolaryngology.