Reasons You Should Not Ignore Sleep Apnea

Do Not Ignore The Snore

It is one thing to disrupt one's partner while they are sleeping due to loud snoring or gagging sounds an individual is making during their sleep cycle. However, these sounds and disruptions are a major indicator of one's health! For instance, it can be incredibly dangerous to treat snoring without being tested for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Snoring in itself is a red flag that an individual may be experiencing sleep apnea. If the individual in question or their partner frequently snore loudly, they may want to consult their doctor to see whether a sleep study is necessary. Essentially, do not ignore what the body is trying to communicate and do not ignore the snore!

Keep reading to learn how high blood pressure and sleep apnea are connected.

High Blood Pressure

In a few rare cases, sleep apnea can be fatal due to its connection to high blood pressure. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is extremely common amongst those experiencing sleep apnea. When sleep apnea occurs during the sleep cycle, the patient's breathing stops and their blood pressure rises. These sudden drops in blood oxygen levels increase the patient's blood pressure and put a significant strain on the body's cardiovascular system. This puts the patient at a greater risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack, which can lead to death. Research has also indicated severe sleep apnea may almost double the risk of sudden cardiac death, which proves the importance of diagnosing and effectively treating sleep apnea.

Next, find out how sleep apnea can affect a person's hormone levels.