Sleep apnea may double your risk for sudden death. The condition — in which a person’s airway is repeatedly blocked during sleep, causing pauses in breathing — may also increase the risk for high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure, according to a new study.

A team at Penn State University reviewed 22 studies that included more than 42,000 patients worldwide. Their review showed that people with sleep apnea had a greater risk of dying suddenly, and the risk rose as patients aged.

The repeated lapses in breathing cut off oxygen supply to cells, which can result in an imbalance of antioxidants in the body. This imbalance harms cells and may speed up the aging process, leading to many health problems, the researchers said.

The study authors said the findings underscore the urgency of treating sleep apnea. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard treatment for moderate to severe apnea.

CPAP provides a steady stream of pressurized air through a mask worn during sleep. The airflow keeps the airway open, preventing pauses in breathing while restoring normal oxygen levels