You may suffer from sleep apnea and not even know it.

Do you have trouble concentrating? Are you excessively tired during the day, even after you had what you thought was a good night's sleep? Then you may want to find out if you have other symptoms of sleep apnea.

Rob Galbreath explains, "Loud snoring, it's associated with gasps or choking sounds during the night. Usually this is witnessed by somebody else in the house, a spouse or family member."

Rob says that with sleep apnea you literally stop breathing repeatedly during your sleep. It can cause serious problems if it's not treated. "Elderly people who have severe sleep apnea are at more than double the risk for developing stroke."

Rob also says that one of the reasons that obstructive sleep apnea can cause a stroke is that it's been associated with high blood pressure, which is one of the many risk factors for stroke. "With these disruptions in your sleep you're going to see fluctuations with your heart rate and with your blood pressure. Where normally your heart rate and blood pressure decrease during the night."

Not only is your blood pressure rising, the lack of oxygen kicks your body's "fight or flight" response. Part of that reaction is for your body to make your blood more clottable, and blood clots in the brain can cause a stroke. Occupational therapist Dianna Highsmith says, "I would like everyone to know that a stroke can happen at anytime to anyone."

Losing a night's sleep is one thing but if you can prevent a stroke by treating your sleep apnea it's important to see your doctor.

The risk of significant obstructive sleep apnea increases with the numerous factors, including being overweight and smoking. Treatments for this condition can be can be life saving.