text: can nightmares causes death? some people just passed away in their sleep particularly with the men and i think the women has tbe better luck because only the men is affected with it/ hypoglycemia occuring during sleep causes nightmares.if glucose levels fall very low death may occur.but this is very rare.some patients suffuring from ischemia of heart, dream of exertion and wake up with chest pain or they may not wake up at all.i can not vouch for the special privilege of women.diabetics suffer from silent heart attacks(painless attacks).such attacks occuring during sleep (specially after a bout of heavy drinking)must be more common in men.