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If you snore loudly, feel tired during the day, or have been told you stop breathing in your sleep, you might wonder if obstructive sleep apnea could be the reason. One simple tool often used to check your risk is called the STOP‑BANG questionnaire.
The STOP‑BANG questionnaire is a brief set of yes‑or‑no questions that helps identify people who may be at risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It does not diagnose sleep apnea, but it can help determine whether you should talk with a health care professional about further testing.
What does STOP‑BANG stand for?
Each letter in STOP‑BANG represents a risk factor for sleep apnea:
- Snoring
- Tiredness during the day
- Observed pauses in breathing during sleep
- Pressure (treated for high blood pressure)
- Body mass index (BMI) more than 35 kg/m2
- Age older than 50
- Neck circumference (shirt collar 16 in/40cm or larger)
- Gender (male?)
Each “yes” answer scores one point. The total score ranges from 0 to 8.
What does your score mean?
A score of 3 or higher suggests an increased risk for obstructive sleep apnea. People with higher scores are more likely to be referred for additional testing, such as an overnight sleep study or a home sleep apnea test.
The questionnaire is designed to be quick and easy. Some questions are based on symptoms you notice yourself, while others rely on basic health information, such as age or body measurements.
Why is STOP‑BANG used?
Health care professionals often use the STOP‑BANG questionnaire as a first step in identifying people who may have sleep apnea. Research shows that it is good at detecting moderate to severe sleep apnea, especially in clinical settings.
However, the tool is meant for screening only. A high score does not mean you definitely have sleep apnea, and a low score does not rule it out completely. A formal sleep evaluation is still needed for a diagnosis.
What should you do next?
If your STOP‑BANG score suggests you may be at risk for sleep apnea, the next step is to talk with your doctor. They can review your symptoms and decide whether sleep testing is appropriate. If your sleep problems aren’t improving, it may be time to see a sleep medicine physician at an AASM‑accredited sleep center.
Sleep apnea is a common and treatable condition. Identifying your risk early can help you take steps toward better sleep and better health.
Medical review by Katherine Moawad, DO
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This questionnaire is provided for educational purposes only. The STOP-BANG questionnaire is owned by Dr. Frances Chung and UHN. To license the questionnaire for any other use, including clinical use, visit the official questionnaire website, www.stopbang.ca for more information and an interactive version of the questionnaire.
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