My father of age 64 has been a long time heavy snorer. I am 28 now, and I can remember that he has been a snorer since I was a child. He sleeps while reading newspapers and while watching TV. He recently got a pacemaker surgery. He has been talking a lot in sleep. In the middle of the sleep suddenly he gasps for air and wakes up sometimes due to this. I don't think he is getting proper sleep. Is sleep apnea a serious medical condition?