Sleep apnea is more than just loud snoring or feeling tired during the day – it’s a serious medical condition that can significantly impact cardiovascular health. As research continues to uncover the deep connections between sleep and the heart, understanding how sleep apnea contributes to heart disease is crucial for prevention and management.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when the muscles in the throat relax excessively, blocking the airway. This results in brief but repeated interruptions in breathing, often leading to a drop in oxygen levels. Central sleep apnea, a less common form, happens when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Regardless of the type, these pauses in breathing can happen dozens or even hundreds of times per night, fragmenting sleep and stressing the body.
The Link to Cardiovascular Disease
Sleep apnea is closely tied to several cardiovascular conditions. Here’s how:
- High blood pressure (hypertension): Each time breathing stops during sleep, the body experiences a drop in oxygen. In response, the brain signals a stress response, raising blood pressure and constricting blood vessels. Over time, this repeated stress can lead to chronic hypertension, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
- Heart arrhythmias: Sleep apnea can trigger abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib). The fluctuation in oxygen levels and increased sympathetic nervous system activity can disrupt the electrical pathways of the heart, increasing the risk of irregular beats that may lead to stroke or other complications.
- Heart failure: People with untreated sleep apnea are more likely to develop heart failure. The constant strain on the heart due to frequent oxygen deprivation and blood pressure surges forces the heart to work harder than normal, weakening it over time.
- Coronary artery disease and stroke: The inflammation and oxidative stress caused by repeated apnea episodes can contribute to the buildup of plaques in the arteries. This accelerates the development of buildup of fats and cholesterol in and on the artery walls, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Diagnosis and Treatment Can Save Lives
The good news is that sleep apnea is treatable. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines are the most common treatment for OSA, keeping airways open during sleep with a gentle stream of air. Other options include weight management, oral appliances, and in extreme cases, combined therapy of CPAP and an appliance.
Early diagnosis is key. If you or someone you know snores loudly, gasps during sleep, or suffers from unexplained fatigue, it’s important to seek a sleep evaluation. Treating sleep apnea not only improves sleep quality and daytime alertness but can dramatically reduce the risk of serious heart problems.
Sleep apnea is a silent but serious contributor to cardiovascular disease. It’s not just a sleep issue; it’s a heart health issue. Recognizing the signs and seeking treatment can make a significant difference, potentially preventing heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. Prioritizing sleep health is a powerful way to protect your heart for the long run.
About the Practice
If you suffer from sleep apnea, let the experts at Healthy Sleep Tulsa help you restore your sleep and overall well-being. Our team can outfit you with an oral appliance to keep you asleep and breathing normally throughout the night, helping you feel rested and refreshed to take on the next day! Visit our website to schedule your appointment or call our Tulsa office at (918) 300-4325.