I couldn't read the full article (paywalled), but the first paragraph mentions night hags, "night mares," succubi, and incubi. These are now all believed to be historical ways of describing the phenomenon of sleep paralysis. Many people who experience this phenomenon describe the experience as terrifying. They see things like a large, shadowy figure at the end of their bed, or crawling toward them, or sitting or pressing down on their chest.
One of the causes of episodes of sleep paralysis can be chronic obstructive sleep apnea. Even if you don't experience sleep paralysis, sleep apnea can also be associated with nightmares.
You know what else is associated with sleep apnea? Stuff like heart disease, COPD, Type 2 diabetes, and even stroke. So, you know ... don't scoff. It's research.