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How Does Sleep Apnea Affect Your Heart?

How Does Sleep Apnea Affect Your Heart?

Sleep apnea can cause cardiovascular diseases and very few people know about this. This is not something to take lightly. If you or your partner is suffering from sleep apnea, consult a professional at Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders. Contact our team or visit us online to book an appointment. We have convenient locations across the U.S. in Bloomington IL, Peoria/Dunlap IL, Mishawaka IN, Kansas City MO, El Paso TX, and Wausau WI.

How Does Sleep Apnea Affect Your Heart? - Koala Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders in Bloomington IL, Peoria – Dunlap IL, Mishawaka IN, Kansas City MO, El Paso TX, and Wausau WI.
How Does Sleep Apnea Affect Your Heart? - Koala Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders in Bloomington IL, Peoria – Dunlap IL, Mishawaka IN, Kansas City MO, El Paso TX, and Wausau WI.

Table of Contents:

Is sleep apnea just a fancy name for snoring?
Why is sleep apnea a big deal?
How does sleep apnea affect your heart?
Who’s at risk of cardiovascular diseases caused by sleep apnea?

Is sleep apnea just a fancy name for snoring?


Snoring and sleep apnea both have the potential to interfere with your and your partner’s sleep, but sleep apnea is much more problematic. Sleep apnea results in reduced functioning and fatigue during the day. Furthermore, sleep apnea is linked to obesity, heart disease, and stroke.

Though snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, it is also possible to snore without having the condition. However, as symptoms such as daytime fatigue and nighttime disturbances can be subtle, some snorers may have apnea and be unaware of it. It is important to investigate the cause of your snoring, as it could be linked to apnea.

Why is sleep apnea a big deal?


As sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that often harms one’s general health and well-being, it is a big deal. Untreated sleep apnea can raise your risk of developing several medical conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression.

The condition can also result in cognitive decline, decreased productivity, and a higher risk of accidents and injuries. Due to a lack of oxygen flowing to the brain overnight, sleep apnea can have long-term effects on brain health, including memory loss and brain damage. With the right care, this damage is treatable. However, without treatment, the damage can worsen and, in some cases, develop into dementia.

The good news is that sleep apnea can be effectively treated. People with sleep apnea can significantly improve their quality of life and general health with the right diagnosis and treatment. Treatment options include medical interventions like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and oral appliances, along with lifestyle changes like losing weight and quitting smoking.

How does sleep apnea affect your heart?


General health and well-being can be significantly harmed by sleep apnea, especially when it is left untreated. Heart disease is one of the main risks connected to untreated sleep apnea. The condition is associated with an increased risk of developing heart arrhythmias, which are abnormal heart rhythms. According to research, people with sleep apnea are 2 to 4 times more likely to experience heart arrhythmias than the average person. Heart arrhythmias have many potential side effects, such as stroke, fainting and sudden cardiac arrest.

Sleep apnea also increases the risk of developing other cardiovascular conditions, such as heart failure and coronary heart disease. When the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently, heart failure develops, which causes fluid to accumulate in the lungs and other organs. According to recent studies, sleep apnea raises the risk of heart failure by 140%. Chest pain, heart attacks, and other complications are brought on by coronary heart disease, which develops when the arteries supplying blood to the heart narrow or become blocked. Those with sleep apnea have a 30% greater risk of being diagnosed with coronary heart disease.

Who’s at risk of cardiovascular diseases caused by sleep apnea?


The risk of cardiovascular diseases brought on by sleep apnea is increased by a variety of factors, such as:

Age – As people age, their risk of both cardiovascular disease and sleep apnea rise.

Family history – Those who have a history of sleep apnea or cardiovascular illness in their family are more likely to develop the conditions as well.

Gender – Men are more likely to develop sleep apnea than women, and as a result, they are at an increased risk developing cardiovascular disease from sleep apnea. After menopause, women are also highly likely to develop sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease.

Diabetes – Those who have diabetes are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and sleep apnea.

Obesity – Obesity is a major risk factor for both cardiovascular disease and sleep apnea. As a result, people who are overweight or obese are more likely to experience cardiovascular problems as a result of their sleep apnea.

Hypertension – High blood pressure raises the risk of both sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease.

Anyone can develop sleep apnea and have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Many people have sleep apnea and don’t know they do.  Therefore, it’s critical to be aware of the signs of sleep apnea and get medical help if you think you or a loved one may be suffering from this condition. Risk of cardiovascular disease and other significant health issues can be decreased with early detection and treatment of sleep apnea.

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