Which of the following is a potential consequence of untreated sleep apnea?

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to a variety of serious health complications, one of which is an increased risk of cardiovascular issues. When a person suffers from sleep apnea, they experience repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. This can result in fragmented sleep and reduced oxygen levels in the blood, which places significant stress on the cardiovascular system. Over time, this can contribute to hypertension (high blood pressure), heart rhythm abnormalities, heart attacks, and even stroke.

In contrast, improved cognitive function, enhanced memory retention, and decreased anxiety levels are generally associated with adequate sleep quality and duration. Untreated sleep apnea typically results in cognitive deficits, poor memory performance, and heightened levels of anxiety due to the chronic fatigue and stress caused by interrupted sleep patterns. Therefore, the link between untreated sleep apnea and increased cardiovascular risk is well established in sleep medicine, making it the correct answer in this context.