Sleep Apnea Test | Free Online Check for Sleep Apnea Symptoms

The Sleep Apnea Test (STOP-Bang) is a scientifically recognised, reliable tool designed to help you identify and assess your risk for obstructive sleep apnea. It includes 8 yes/no questions and evaluates common symptoms and risk factors, snoring, daytime fatigue, observed breathing pauses, blood pressure, body mass, age, neck circumference and sex.

Although STOP-Bang is a valuable screening tool, it cannot replace a formal diagnosis by a healthcare professional. For an accurate diagnosis, a sleep study (polysomnography or home sleep apnea test) and follow-up with a specialist are essential.

Medically validated Instant results

The STOP-Bang Questionnaire, developed by Chung et al. (2008) at the University of Toronto, is one of the most widely used and validated tools worldwide to screen for obstructive sleep apnea.

Note: STOP-Bang does not provide a diagnosis on its own; it indicates when a full clinical evaluation, typically a sleep study, is needed.

Sources

Chung F, et al. STOP questionnaire: a tool to screen patients for obstructive sleep apnea. Anesthesiology 2008;108(5):812-21. DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0b013e31816d83e4

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18431116/
Chung F, et al. STOP-Bang Questionnaire: A Practical Approach to Screen for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Chest 2016;149(3):631-8

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26378880/
Hellenic Thoracic Society

Working Group on Sleep Disorders (Greek-language version): https://hts.org.gr/assets/files/omades_ergasias/sleep/stop_questionaire_hts.pdf
Official STOP-Bang website: http://www.stopbang.ca/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a condition where the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep. This leads to repeated pauses in breathing, often lasting several seconds. These interruptions can reduce oxygen levels and disrupt normal sleep. People with sleep apnea often experience snoring, daytime fatigue, and poor sleep quality. Over time, it can affect energy, concentration, and overall health.

How reliable is STOP-Bang?

STOP-Bang was developed by Chung et al. at the University of Toronto in 2008 and has since been validated in surgical, primary-care and general populations worldwide. Meta-analyses show a sensitivity of around 90% for detecting moderate-to-severe OSA at a score of 3+, making it one of the most trusted screening tools clinicians use.

How are results categorised?

Your total score is the number of "yes" answers across all 8 items.
• 0–2 Yes → Low Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• 3–4 Yes → Moderate Risk of OSA
• 5–8 Yes → High Risk of OSA
You are also classified as High Risk if you answered Yes to 2 or more of the first 4 STOP questions and any of: male sex, BMI > 35 kg/m², or neck circumference ≥ 40 cm.

What questions does it include?

The 8 items cover the STOP-Bang acronym: Snoring (loudly), Tired during the day, Observed stopping breathing, blood Pressure, BMI > 35, Age > 50, Neck circumference, and Gender (male). For example: "Do you snore loudly enough to be heard through closed doors?" and "Has anyone observed you stop breathing during sleep?"

Is this a diagnostic tool?

No. STOP-Bang is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. A formal diagnosis of sleep apnea requires a sleep study — either an in-lab polysomnography or a home sleep apnea test — interpreted by a specialist. The test tells you whether a clinical evaluation is worth pursuing.

What are common symptoms of sleep apnea?

The most common signs are: loud snoring, breathing pauses or gasping during sleep (usually noticed by a partner), daytime sleepiness or falling asleep unintentionally, morning headaches, waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and high blood pressure that is hard to control. Men, people over 50, people with a BMI above 35 and post-menopausal women are at higher risk.

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

Diagnosis follows a three-step pathway: (1) screening (STOP-Bang, Epworth Sleepiness Scale or clinical history), (2) a sleep study — polysomnography in a sleep lab or a home sleep apnea test that records breathing, oxygen saturation and heart rate overnight, and (3) a specialist review that calculates the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and classifies the condition as mild, moderate or severe. Treatment — typically CPAP, an oral appliance, positional therapy, weight management or surgery — is then tailored to the diagnosis.

What if my score is moderate to high?

An moderate or high score doesn't mean you have sleep apnea — it means it's worth being evaluated. The next step is a consultation with a specialist who can order a sleep study and interpret the results. In Greece, sleep apnea is typically managed by a pulmonologist (usually the first stop for a sleep study referral), but a sleep medicine specialist, ENT (otolaryngologist) — especially when anatomical causes are suspected — or a cardiologist — when there's co-existing hypertension or heart disease — may also be involved. Book a specialist on Doctoranytime and bring your STOP-Bang score to the consultation: https://doctoranytime.gr/search?specialty=pulmonologist

Sleep Apnea Test | Free Online Check for Sleep Apnea Symptoms

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