Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are studying the long-term health effects of obstructive sleep apnea among U.S. active-duty military personnel.
The research is critical because untreated sleep apnea can lead to severe cardiovascular complications and create a significant resource burden for military healthcare systems.
The team, which includes Zahra Moussavi and Walid Ashraf, focused their study on how the condition impacts service members. The research was released in June 2025 [1]. The team is specifically examining the connection between sleep disorders and heart health.
"We’re looking at how untreated sleep apnea can affect long‑term cardiovascular health," Moussavi said.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a widespread issue across the general population. More than one in 10 Americans suffer from the condition [2], with some estimates placing the number of affected individuals at over 25 million [3]. This prevalence increases the overall risk of heart disease for a large segment of the population.
Emerson M. Wickwire, PhD, said the findings highlight a significant burden of sleep apnea among service members [4]. The study aims to assess both the physical health risks and the logistical resource burdens associated with treating the disorder within the military framework.
"More than one in 10 Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, increasing their risk of heart disease," Wickwire said [2].
By identifying these risks, the University of Maryland team hopes to improve long-term health outcomes for those in active service. The research emphasizes that the condition is not merely a sleep disturbance but a systemic health risk, one that requires targeted medical intervention to prevent chronic heart failure and other cardiovascular events.
“"We’re looking at how untreated sleep apnea can affect long‑term cardiovascular health."”
This research underscores a critical intersection between occupational health and long-term systemic disease. For the U.S. military, the high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea among active-duty personnel suggests that sleep disorders may be a primary driver of cardiovascular morbidity, potentially impacting force readiness and increasing long-term veterans' healthcare costs.
