Is Sleep Apnea Related to Heart Disease?

Sleep apnea or obstructive sleep apnea occurs when a person stops breathing during sleep due to a narrowed or closed breathing passage. But this is about more than a good night’s sleep. If untreated, this nighttime problem can lead to serious medical issues, including heart disease, placing a strain on your heart and blood vessels.

Types of Sleep Apnea

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea

This is a typical medical condition which impacts 5-15 percent of the U.S. population. The process involves the un-easiness of airflow and is related with coronary heart disease, heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmias.

2. Central Sleep Apnea

This disease arises when the brain does not send proper signals to muscles that control breathing.

3. Complex Sleep Apnea

This condition occurs when a person has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

The signs of obstructive and central sleep apneas overlap, sometimes making it difficult to properly diagnose. The simplest signs of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:

The Signs of Sleep Apnea-

-Loud snoring.
-Gasping during sleep.
-Waking up with a dry mouth.
-Morning time headache.
-Feeling difficult to sleep.
-Feeling sleepy during the day.
-Difficulty staying alert.
-Irritation.

Relation of Sleep Apnea and Heart Disease

Sleep apnea not only keeps us awake at night, but the complication places hearts at risk. A new study found middle-aged men that have obstructive sleep apnea are five times more likely than those who don’t to develop heart disease. The effective treatment of the disorder may help reduce this risk.

Sleep apnea increases the risk of heart disease by affecting factors like age, weight, blood pressure, and smoking. People who suffer from sleep apnea suffer daytime sleepiness. This can be observed by using a device that provides air pressure during sleep, surgery, or oral appliance. All these experiments reduce the risk of heart disease. 

The risk of heart attack, stroke, and abnormal heartbeats increases with obstructive sleep apnea. 

Conclusion

At Cardiovascular Group, we are committed to our patients. We want you to be well-informed about your health. If you’re interested in learning more, schedule an appointment to discuss your heart health.