Significant Effects Of Sleep Apnea

Increased Risk Of Heart Attacks And Strokes

Obstructive sleep apnea places patients at an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Blood oxygen levels drop when an individual's breathing is obstructed, and this happens multiple times each night for patients with this condition. Reduced blood oxygen triggers the body's fight or flight response, raising both blood pressure and heart rate. When the patient wakes up, blood oxygen levels increase as the upper airway reopens. This cycle of decreasing and increasing oxygen levels produces inflammation, and this can lead to an accumulation of hardened plaque in the arteries and the increased risk of cardiovascular issues and stroke.

Obstructive sleep apnea places a large amount of strain on the heart, and patients are at an increased risk of irregular heartbeats; these can also increase the risk of heart attacks. For patients with sleep apnea who already have heart disease, repeated episodes of low blood oxygen may trigger heartbeat irregularities that could result in sudden cardiac death. Patients with sleep apnea are encouraged to do everything they can to reduce their risk of cardiovascular complications. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and taking medications as prescribed are all beneficial. Patients may also wish to consult with a sleep specialist, a cardiologist, and a nutritionist to ensure they receive the highest level of care for their condition.

Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms that raise an individual's risk of cardiovascular disease, and it is one of the major complications associated with sleep apnea. To diagnose metabolic syndrome, doctors will check the patient's blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol, and the patient will also have their waist circumference measured. If the results show a patient has abnormally high values for at least three of these markers, they meet the criteria for diagnosis. Doctors define abnormally high blood pressure as being at least 135/80, and elevated glucose is considered to be 100mg/dL or higher. In terms of cholesterol, triglyceride readings greater than 150mg/dL and high-density lipoprotein measurements lower than 40mg/dL are possible indicators of metabolic syndrome. A waist circumference above thirty-five inches for women (or forty inches for men) is also used in the diagnostic criteria for the syndrome. Since metabolic syndrome is a group of symptoms and not a disease in itself, treatment focuses on reducing waist size, blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol. Patients may need to take prescription medications to reduce their numbers to within a normal range. Beta blockers and ACE inhibitors can reduce blood pressure, and statins lower cholesterol. Patients with high blood glucose may need to take oral or injectable medications to reduce their readings, and individuals with increased waist measurements may benefit from weight loss support groups and nutrition counseling. Losing weight and reducing blood pressure also help in reducing the symptoms of sleep apnea by making it easier for the patient to breathe and lowering the strain on their heart.