A free packet of information is now available on a sleep disorder tied to a heart disease and stroke. People who have sleep apnea stop breathing briefly as many as several hundred times during sleep. This prompts people to constantly wake up in order to resume breathing, which can leave people feeling extremely tired upon awakening. The disorder affects more than 10 million Americans, and can serve as an early warning sign for high blood pressure, heart attack and other dangerous conditions. The condition is usually caused by tissue in the back of the throat that obstructs the airway. Monday, March 26, was National Sleep Apnea Awareness day, and the American Sleep Apnea Association has tips for identifying sleep apnea. If you are a loud, habitual snorer, are often sleepy during waking hours, are overweight or have a large neck, you may be more at risk for sleep apnea. The association, based in Washington, has made a free brochure on sleep apnea available online at http://www.sleepapnea.org/help.html A hard copy of the brochure is also available within the United States by calling 202/293-3650.