As you close your eyes and drift into unconsciousness, your body undergoes numerous physiological changes to restore and refresh itself for another day. However, for some people, sleep isn’t as restful as it should be. People diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea—a condition that disrupts breathing during sleep—find that their health is affected in myriad ways beyond feeling tired all the time. One of these ways, and perhaps the most critical, is the impact on heart health. This article aims to shed light on the connection between sleep apnea and heart health and why you need to understand it.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a pervasive yet often overlooked condition. Foremost in its category is obstructive sleep apnea. As its name suggests, this type involves the temporary cessation of breath due to an obstruction in the throat during sleep. Episodes could occur over a hundred times in severe cases, affecting not only the quality of sleep but also heart health.
The Correlation between Sleep Apnea and Heart Health
Risks to the Heart
Obstructive sleep apnea stands as a silent accomplice to numerous cardiovascular issues. The continual interruptions in breathing create sudden drops in blood oxygen levels, increasing blood pressure and straining the cardiovascular system, ultimately leading to heart health issues.
Associated Cardiac Conditions
People with sleep apnea face an increased risk of several heart-related conditions, including:
- High blood pressure
- Heart failure
- Atrial fibrillation
- Stroke
- Heart attack
Necessary Measures for Sleep Apnea Treatment
Non-Surgical and Drug-Free Solutions
As a recognized treatment center, Bend Headache Center in Oregon offers drug-free, non-surgical solutions for obstructive sleep apnea. Notably, these solutions are equally beneficial to those who find the traditional CPAP machine uncomfortable.
Identifying Symptoms
Recognizing the symptoms of sleep apnea is the first step towards reducing potential heart health risks. Symptoms include:
- Loud snoring
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Never feeling rested
- Observed episodes of stopped breathing during sleep
Conclusion
Dealing with sleep apnea is more than about achieving quality sleep. It’s about safeguarding your heart and your overall health. Understanding the link between sleep apnea and heart health is vital as we explore new ways of managing sleep disorders. As a public health issue, awareness and proper treatment of sleep apnea could dramatically improve heart health outcomes for millions of Americans.
