Answer: No one can tell you if what you have is hereditary until you've been diagnosed. There is sleep apnea and there there is obstructive sleep apnea and both have different causes. If what you told us is exactly what you told your friend, then based on this I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that you have sleep apnea. One symptom that apneics seem to have in common is loud, persistent snoring. Some wake up during the night gasping for air or experiencing a choking sensation. Besides daytime fatigue, falling asleep during the day is another sign. As you stated, you don't know if you have breathing cessation.Once you can see a doctor, I hope she/he will refer you to a Board Certified Sleep Specialist who can order a sleep study (polysomnography). This will determine whether you have SA or OSA and to what degree.