Sleep Apnea and your Heart What is Sleep Apnea?Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects a person's breathing during sleep. The condition restricts air from getting to the lungs due to a narrowed airway, which causes a person to snore loudly. Moreover, since it restricts the supply of oxygen, it results in pauses in breathing that can occur several times during the night. The condition affects around 1 in every 15 adults in the U.S., with around 80% of these cases undiagnosed. It shows that millions of people are living with some of the consequences of sleep apnea, such as interrupted sleep, daytime sleepiness, trouble concentrating, and chronic headaches. Yet, they are unaware of having this disorder. Sleep apnea not only interrupts your sleep, but the effects go beyond and affect several parts of your body, including your heart. As a result, sleep apnea can lead to a wide range of serious health conditions, including stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease, and an irregular heartbeat. Sleep Apnea and Your HeartHeart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and worldwide. Several lifestyles and behavior choices such as an unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, and excessive consumption of alcohol can increase the risk of heart disease. Moreover, several other health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure can also increase the risk of heart disease. Along with these conditions, untreated sleep apnea can also significantly increase the risk of heart disease and abnormal heart rhythms. Research indicates that patients with sleep apnea are two to four times more likely to develop heart arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms). Moreover, sleep apnea can significantly increase the risk of heart failure and other coronary heart diseases. How Sleep Apnea Increases Your Risk of Heart DiseaseSome of the reasons why sleep apnea can increase your risk of heart disease include the following:
Sleep apnea affects your cardiac health in multiple ways, so it's best to get treatment for this condition so you can have a healthy heart and live a healthy life. At Dallas Oral Surgery Associates, we specialize in treating sleep apnea and snoring through several procedures. Call today at 972-733-0414 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sherry and get a step closer to a healthier life. |
