This calculator is for general information and education. It is not medical advice and does not replace the judgment of a doctor, nurse or pharmacist who knows the full clinical picture.
Why screen for sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the throat repeatedly closes during sleep, stopping or reducing breathing for 10 seconds or more. Each episode lowers oxygen levels and briefly wakes the brain, often without the person noticing. Untreated, it causes daytime sleepiness and raises the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and road accidents. Most people who have it have never been diagnosed.
The eight STOP-Bang items
Each yes answer scores one point:
| Letter | Item |
|---|---|
| S | Snoring loudly |
| T | Tiredness or sleepiness during the day |
| O | Observed pauses in breathing, choking or gasping |
| P | High blood pressure, treated or not |
| B | BMI over 35 kg/m² |
| A | Age over 50 |
| N | Neck circumference of 17 in (43 cm) or more for men, 16 in (41 cm) or more for women |
| G | Male gender |
Interpreting the score
- 0 to 2: low risk of moderate to severe sleep apnea.
- 3 to 4: intermediate risk.
- 5 to 8: high risk.
A score of 3 or 4 is also classed as high risk when at least two of the four STOP items are positive together with male sex, a BMI over 35 or a large neck. The calculator applies this rule.
Example
A 55-year-old man with a BMI of 29 and a 16.5-inch neck, who snores loudly and is treated for high blood pressure:
- STOP items: snoring + pressure = 2
- Bang items: age over 50 + male = 2
- Score: 4 out of 8, intermediate on the score alone
- Because he has 2 STOP items and is male, his risk is classed as high.
Accuracy
In the validation studies, a score of 3 or more detected more than 90% of people with moderate to severe sleep apnea, but many people above that threshold did not have it. The tool is designed to miss few cases, not to confirm a diagnosis. A high score is a reason to talk to a doctor, who may order a home sleep apnea test or an overnight study in a sleep lab.
When to see a doctor sooner
- You fall asleep while driving or have had near misses.
- Your partner has seen long pauses in your breathing.
- You have heart disease, atrial fibrillation or high blood pressure that is hard to control.
Treatment, such as a CPAP machine, an oral appliance or weight loss, usually improves sleepiness within weeks.