Objectives: Acid-sensitive K+ channels (TASK-1) are sensitive to changes in extracellular pH in the physiological range, which have been implicated in peripheral and central respiratory chemosensitivity. We sought to assess the association between the human TASK-1 genetic polymophisms and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: 154 severe OSA patients and 156 non-OSA individuals were collected baseline characteristics and genotyped for rs1275988 and rs2586886 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the human TASK-1 gene by a Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR genotyping system. The association between genotypes and OSA status was assessed. Results: No significant differences in the genotype distribution and allele frequencies of SNPs (rs1275988 and rs2586886) were found between severe OSA patients and non-OSA groups. Stratified by BMI, the distribution of SNPs (rs1275988 and rs2586886) genotype distribution, allele frequencies, recessive model (GG+GA vs AA) and dominant model (GG vs AA + GA) showed a significant difference between severe OSA groups and non-OSA groups in patients with BMI≥28 kg/m2 (for genotype: P = 0.034 and P = 0.025, respectively; for allele: P = 0.007 and P = 0.002, respectively; for Recessive model: P = 0.027 and P = 0.013, respectively; for dominant model: P = 0.038 and P = 0.046, respectively). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the AA genotype was a protective factor for OSA[for rs1275988:OR = 0.340 (95% CI: 0.120–0.966; for rs2586886: OR = 0.283 (95%CI:0.097–0.832) respectively]. Conclusion: The rs1275988 and rs2586886 SNPs in TASK-1 may be a protective genetic markers to OSA in obese patients.