STOP-BANG Calculator

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common and serious sleep disorder, yet it often goes undiagnosed. The STOP-BANG questionnaire is a simple, memorable, and validated screening tool used by healthcare professionals and the public to assess the risk of having moderate to severe OSA. This interactive calculator allows you to quickly complete the questionnaire and understand your personal risk level, empowering you to seek medical advice if needed.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

OSA is a condition where a person's breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to a physical blockage of the upper airway. When you sleep, the muscles in your throat relax. In people with OSA, these muscles can relax too much, causing the airway to narrow or close. This leads to a pause in breathing (an apnea), which causes oxygen levels in the blood to drop. The brain detects this and briefly wakes the person up to reopen the airway, often with a loud snort or gasp. This can happen hundreds of times a night without the person's conscious awareness, severely fragmenting their sleep and preventing them from reaching the deep, restorative stages.

The STOP-BANG Acronym

The calculator is based on an eight-item questionnaire, where each letter of the acronym "STOP-BANG" represents a specific risk factor. Answering "yes" to a question adds one point to your total score.

• S - Snoring: Do you snore loudly? (Loud enough to be heard through a closed door). Loud, prominent snoring is a key sign of a partially obstructed airway.
• T - Tired: Do you often feel tired, fatigued, or sleepy during the daytime? This is a direct consequence of fragmented, non-restorative sleep.
• O - Observed Apnea: Has anyone observed you stop breathing or choke/gasp during your sleep? This is a hallmark sign of OSA, often noticed by a bed partner.
• P - Pressure: Do you have or are you being treated for high blood pressure? The repeated oxygen drops and stress of OSA put significant strain on the cardiovascular system, frequently leading to hypertension.
• B - BMI: Is your Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 35 kg/m²? Excess weight, particularly around the neck, is the single biggest risk factor for OSA.
• A - Age: Are you over 50 years old? The risk of OSA increases with age as muscle tone naturally decreases.
• N - Neck Circumference: Is your neck circumference greater than 40 cm (15.7 inches)? A large neck circumference is a strong indicator of a narrowed airway.
• G - Gender: Are you male? OSA is significantly more common in men than in pre-menopausal women.

How to Use the Calculator and Interpret Your Score

Simply answer "Yes" or "No" to each of the eight questions. The calculator will automatically tally your total score (the number of "Yes" answers).

Your total score is used to categorize your risk for moderate to severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

The model also includes a higher-sensitivity rule: if you score 3-4 but also answer "Yes" to at least two of the four "BANG" questions (BMI, Age, Neck, Gender), you may also be considered at high risk. This calculator automatically applies this rule for a more nuanced assessment.

Why Screening for OSA is Crucial

Identifying your risk for OSA is the first step toward diagnosis and treatment. Untreated OSA is a serious medical condition linked to a wide range of health problems, including:

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
• Heart Attack and Heart Failure
• Stroke
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Depression
• Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents due to drowsiness

Next Steps

The STOP-BANG questionnaire is an excellent screening tool, but it is **not a diagnosis**.

If your score indicates an intermediate or high risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, it is very important that you share these results with your doctor. They can perform a full clinical evaluation and, if necessary, refer you to a sleep specialist. The definitive diagnosis of OSA is made with an overnight sleep study (polysomnography), which measures your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and brain activity while you sleep.

Fortunately, OSA is a highly treatable condition. Treatments like Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, and lifestyle changes can effectively manage the disorder, leading to dramatically improved sleep quality, daytime alertness, and long-term health.

Disclaimer: This calculator is intended for informational and screening purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. A diagnosis of sleep apnea can only be made by a qualified healthcare professional.