Sleep Apnea and Your Cardiovascular Health — How Are They Connected?

Getting enough high-quality sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your overall wellness. Indeed, sleep can affect virtually every other aspect of your health, including your heart! What is the connection between untreated sleep apnea and cardiovascular risks? How can you protect yourself? This blog post provides important information.

Untreated Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Health Risks

If you have sleep apnea, your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during the night. This cycle does more than just disrupt your sleep — it can put serious strain on your heart and blood vessels. In fact, some of the biggest risks associated with untreated sleep apnea include:

• High blood pressure: Frequent drops in oxygen levels can increase your blood pressure and make it harder for your body to regulate it properly.
• Heart disease: Sleep apnea has been linked to a higher risk of heart attacks, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), and heart failure.
• Stroke: Interrupted breathing episodes can increase the risk of stroke by causing changes in your blood flow and oxygen supply.
• Type 2 diabetes: Sleep apnea can make it more difficult for your body to process glucose, raising your risk for diabetes and the cardiovascular complications that come with it.
• Sudden cardiac events: In severe cases, untreated sleep apnea may increase the odds of sudden cardiac death.

Why Are They Connected?

You might wonder why a sleep disorder like sleep apnea can have such a profound impact on your heart. The main connection lies in the way sleep apnea affects oxygen levels and the stress it places on your body every night. When your airway becomes blocked, your blood oxygen drops and your brain signals your body to wake up and breathe. This repeated process can lead to:

• Chronic stress on the cardiovascular system: Each episode triggers a stress response, raising your heart rate and blood pressure.
• Inflammation: Interrupted sleep and low oxygen levels can promote inflammation, which damages the lining of your blood vessels over time.
• Poor regulation of hormones: Sleep apnea can disrupt the balance of hormones that control blood pressure, metabolism, and heart function.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

While the above information is scary, the good news is that there are effective ways to manage sleep apnea and reduce its impact on your cardiovascular health:

• Seek a professional diagnosis: If you suspect you have sleep apnea, schedule a sleep study and talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms.
• Follow recommended treatments: Many people benefit from custom-made oral appliances prescribed by a dentist. These devices help keep your airway open during sleep and are often more comfortable and easier to use than CPAP machines.
• Adopt heart-healthy habits: Maintain a healthy weight, stay active, eat a balanced diet, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
• Monitor your progress: Regular check-ups with your sleep specialist or dentist can help ensure your treatment is working as intended.

Sleep apnea poses a serious threat to your cardiovascular health! Take proactive steps to improve the quality of your sleep and protect your precious heart.

Meet the Practice

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is a board-certified sleep dentist with well over a decade of experience in helping patients achieve better rest. Dr. Yitta Garden is also board-certified and ready to serve. If you believe you have sleep apnea, our team is eager to advise you on your next steps. Contact our Vero Beach location at 772-882-6800.