Amanda Peterson Struggled With Sleep Apnea Before Her Death

Shortly after her untimely death at the age of 43, 1980s movie star Amanda Peterson's father told the media that his daughter had struggled with a number of health issues in recent years including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). While the former actress' cause of death has not yet been determined by officials, her father believes that her sleep apnea could have contributed. Peterson was best known for playing the role of Cindy Mancini opposite Patrick Dempsey in the 1987 hit Can't Buy Me Love. She also appeared in several other movies of the time, including Annie, The Lawless Land, and Explorers. She retired from acting in 1994, following her performance in Windrunner, and had since returned to school and taken up writing. Her father told TMZ that the family had not heard from Peterson since July 3 and that her body was discovered at her home on July 5. Peterson was living in Greeley, Colorado, at the time of her death, where she she was born and raised. In recent years, according to family, Peterson had suffered from several health issues, including sleep apnea, sinusitis, and pneumonia. Until last year, she was living in a residence that was infested with mold, and issue that could have also affected her health.

Can Sleep Apnea Be Fatal?

While many people believe that obstructive sleep apnea is simply a nuisance that causes snoring and fatigue, sleep apnea has been linked to extremely serious health health conditions that may shorten life expectancy and cause death, including heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. In fact, a University of Wisconsin study found that people with OSA have a three-fold chance of death over an 18-year period compared to those without sleep disorders and untreated sleep apnea sufferers died at five times the rate of those without the disease. In addition to shortening life, sleep apnea may also be a contributing factor in a person's death. A Mayo Clinic sleep apnea study found that having severe sleep apnea almost doubles your risk of dying of a sudden heart attack, especially at night when a person may have difficulty breathing due to his or her sleep disorder. In 2004, Hall of Fame pro football player Reggie White died suddenly in his sleep, also at the age of 43. Doctors determined that his cause of death was a combination of cardiac arrhythmia and cardiac sarcoidosis. Sleep apnea was described as contributing to his death.

Sleep Apnea Surgical Solutions

Although we do not yet know what caused the tragic and untimely death of Amanda Peterson, we do know that untreated obstructive sleep apnea can have fatal consequences. For this reason, it is vital for those suffering from moderate to severe sleep apnea to find a workable treatment that fits their lives. To learn more about our treatment options and CPAP alternatives, please contact us at (855) 560-7378 or email us today.