A system and method for treating sleep apnea includes inserting an implantable pulse generator subcutaneously within a body of a patient and connecting a lead to the pulse generator. The lead is inserted within the vasculature and advanced transvenously through the vasculature until a stimulation portion of the lead becomes positioned in close proximity to the hypoglossal nerve. A nerve-stimulation signal is applied to the hypoglossal nerve via the stimulation portion of the lead.
