Not true. I know you are smart/taking mcats etc etc, so don’t take offense.
SOME sleeping positions contribute to sleep apnea in individuals
who have respiratory ailments.
However, many people have hereditary issues (cerebrovascular diseases)
which keeps the brain from signaling the ‘breathing muscles’. A lot of times, even
minor things like higher altitude, or some medications will intensify sleep apnea as
some meds. cause irregular heartrates etc.
Some people with heart or lung disease, for example, have a hard time getting the
oxygen into their blood. Over time, the brain in these circumstances will stop monitoring
O2 input and instead use blood carbon dioxide levels to determine when to take the next breath.
Shit gets crazy. My father was tested for this and its actually quite complicated.
The tests and monitoring procedures were very detailed- it was pretty interesting.