The thought of dying in your sleep has probably crossed your mind more than once. It’s a terrifying idea — one you’d rather not dwell on before closing your eyes at night.
But at the same time, it might be good to know if you’re at risk so you can take steps to prevent it. Let’s see what experienced doctors have to say:
The intense fear of falling asleep, known as hypnophobia, is frequently brought on by the worry that one may lose control or perhaps pass away while asleep. Some people experience this fear to the point where it interferes with their quality of life and negatively impacts their health. However, what causes this anxiety, and is there any basis for the notion that sleep poses a risk?
Let’s explore why some people die in their sleep and what you should know about the risks.
Oversleeping
Did you realize that getting too much sleep can cause issues? Many people still think that obtaining enough sleep is always beneficial for the body, even though a lot of study has been done on the subject over the years. It could be a warning sign, though, so you might want to pay attention if you are sleeping more than seven or eight hours every night.
Researchers have discovered a link between excessive sleep and an increased risk of early death, according to The Guardian.
Sleeping ten hours a night raises your risk of dying early by 30% compared to someone who sleeps eight hours. This was revealed in a 2018 study published in The Journal of the American Heart Association.
Additionally, sleeping ten hours is associated with a 56% higher risk of dying from a stroke and a 49% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases.
Why people die in their sleep
In 2023, Dr. Milind Sovani from Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust in the UK shared some insight with Newsweek about the mystery of dying in one’s sleep. According to Dr. Sovani, these sudden and silent deaths are “usually related to the heart, lungs, or brain.”
People can die in their sleep for various reasons, with sudden cardiac arrest being one of the most common causes. A 2021 study in Heart Rhythms found that about 22% of these deaths happen between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Dead-in-bed syndrome
Dr. Milind Sovani highlights another risk factor for dying in your sleep: ”Occasionally, people with diabetes can die in their sleep from low glucose levels,” he explains.
There’s even a term for this tragic phenomenon — Dead-in-Bed Syndrome (DIB). This term refers to cases where someone with type 1 diabetes (T1D) goes to bed seemingly healthy but doesn’t wake up.
Younger individuals with type 1 diabetes, especially those under 50, are at a higher risk of experiencing Dead in Bed Syndrome.
The good news is that DIB syndrome is rare, accounting for only about 6% of all deaths in people under 40 with type 1 diabetes, according to Diabetes UK.
Pompe Disease
Additionally, there are less common and more complicated medical disorders that might cause someone to pass away while they are asleep. For example, if ignored, sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing regularly stops and starts while you are asleep, can occasionally lead to deadly complications.
It is wise to see a doctor if you are concerned about experiencing uncontrollable sleep disruptions. You can take certain tests overnight. A gadget known as a CPAP machine may be able to help you treat obstructive sleep apnea. This device helps you breathe while you sleep by using a hose that is attached to a mask or nosepiece to give consistent, continuous air pressure.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Sovani reportedly treated a patient who had Pompe Disease, a rare genetic disorder in which complex sugars called glycogen build up in the body’s cells, particularly in the lysosomes. This occurs when the body is deficient in acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA), a necessary enzyme. If undetected or untreated, the condition can be deadly and causes significant muscle weakness and wasting.
Sadly, the patient, who was in his late 30s, passed away in his sleep. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by undiagnosed genetic conditions and the importance of early detection and treatment.
Diaphragmatic paralysis
Conditions like unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis, where one side of the diaphragm doesn’t work, can make breathing harder, especially when lying down. Dr. Sovani points out that this can mess with your lung capacity, which can lead to complications.
Another thing to watch out for is Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), which is more common for those with uncontrolled epilepsy. Essentially, a seizure can cause problems with breathing or heart rhythm, as the CDC explains.
On top of that, high blood pressure that’s not under control, heart failure, and sleep apnea — which causes your breathing to stop and start throughout the night — can all increase the chances of dying in your sleep. It’s definitely something to keep in mind if you’re dealing with any of these conditions.
”If you suffer from a heart condition, you may also be fitted with a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator,” Dr. Sovani adds, which help regulate your heartbeat.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle — getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising—along with regular check-ins with your doctor, can also play a big role in preventing these conditions from getting worse.
Concussion – be aware of this
It is crucial to monitor the situation if you have suffered severe head trauma or have been struck by a forceful blow to the head. Sudden death can occasionally result from severe brain injuries, frequently while a person is asleep. Following a brain injury, symptoms like nausea, persistent headaches, or dilated pupils may occasionally go unnoticed or be dismissed. A person may have a brain bleed throughout the night and die if they attempt to “sleep off” these symptoms.
It’s generally okay to sleep after a concussion, but it’s crucial to see a healthcare provider or go to the emergency room first for an evaluation.
Is it painful to die in your sleep?
Whether dying in your sleep is painful or not really depends on what causes it. Some people pass away peacefully, not feeling any pain or even realizing what’s happening.
But for others, they might wake up for a moment and feel some distress before they pass. Conditions like a heart attack or trouble breathing can bring pain before death.
The thought of dying suddenly in your sleep is terrifying, and it’s something none of us want to imagine. But it’s important to remember that it’s rare to pass away unexpectedly without having been diagnosed with a serious condition.
While there are risk factors that could increase the chances of dying in your sleep, don’t forget to live. Life is precious, and it’s the moments we share, the love we give, and the memories we create that truly matter. So, take care of yourself, cherish those around you, and live fully—because each day is a gift.