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Obstructive sleep apnea causes some people to stop breathing due to the closure of the upper airway during sleep. It has been linked to various heart conditions. Repeated interruptions to sleep and drops in blood oxygen level can increase heart rate and blood pressure, making the heart work harder.

KEY POINTS

Sleep apnea has been linked to

High blood pressure

High blood pressure

High blood pressure

Sudden cardiac death

Obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol

Short sleep duration (less than 5 hours a night), shift work and restless legs syndrome have also been linked to negative effects on the heart.

Am I at Risk ?

Conditions that could suggest the presence of sleep apnea include history of loud snoring, waking up gasping or choking, stop-breathing episodes in sleep reported by a bed partner, not waking up refreshed, morning headaches and excessive daytime sleepiness. Symptoms of a heart condition may include but are not limited to: chest pain, shortness of breath and/or dizziness on exertion, abnormal heart rhythms and swelling of the feet.

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Obstructive sleep apnea affects at least 25 million adults in the U.S. It is caused by a collapse of the airway in the back of the nose, mouth and throat during sleep. As a result, air cannot get to the lungs. This leads to a brief arousal from sleep that causes sleep fragmentation and poor sleep quality. This cycle can repeat hundreds of times in one night, but typically these events are not remembered in the morning. Sleep apnea is most closely linked with high blood pressure (hypertension) in the lungs and the body.

Sleep apnea has been linked to various heart conditions:

Sleep apnea increases the risk of abnormal heart rhythms, which in turn heightens the risk for developing a stroke. Additionally, patients with
untreated sleep apnea have twice the chance of their abnormal heart rhythms re-occurring after this has been treated with medication, electrical therapy and even surgery. Sleep apnea is seen in a majority of patients with heart failure. In these patients, sometimes a different type
of apnea called “central sleep apnea” can be seen, as well as an abnormal breathing pattern called “CheyneStokes breathing pattern”. In central sleep apnea, the upper airway is not collapsed, but the brain does not send signals to the body to breathe. A number of large studies have shown that a sleeping consistently for less than 5 hours a night may have negative consequences on the heart.

Sleep apnea is linked to sudden cardiac death. In those without sleep apnea, death rates peak in the early morning, but research studies of patients with sleep apnea have shown that their death rate peaks at night. Sleep apnea is linked to obesity, high blood glucose and cholesterol levels and may shorten sleep duration, all of which may potentially affect the heart.

TREATMENT

If you have sleep apnea and heart disease, it is important to make sure you receive adequate treatment. Luckily, treatment of sleep apnea has shown to reduce heartrelated problems in a number of research studies.

Follow a healthy lifestyle by limiting salt intake, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.

Try to maintain a healthy body weight.

Follow good sleep habits.

Next Steps

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: CONTENT DEVELOPED BY THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF SLEEP MEDICINE

QUESTIONS ABOUT A SLEEP ISSUE? LET’S TALK.

Imtiaz Ahmad, MD, MPH, FCCP

Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad is a highly qualified physician, Board Certified in Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine. He has been actively serving the community of Lee County, Florida since 2004, with a strong focus on a proactive healthcare approach. Dr. Ahmad has received advanced training from some of the most prestigious institutions, including Harvard University, Cornell University, State University of New York at Brooklyn, and the University of Mississippi. SOMNAS is a medical facility that is committed to improving and maintaining the health of patients with sleep disorders. The expert team at SOMNAS is known for their compassionate and high-quality care. They offer unparalleled treatment and care to patients on the Gulf Coast of Florida, ensuring a better and healthier life for them.

Job Title: Board Certified in Pulmonary Medicine

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday9:00 am – 5:00 pm
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Please be advised that Allergy Sleep and Lung Care PA and SOMNAS, located at 16420 Healthpark Commons Dr Suite 100, Fort Myers, FL 33908, will be closing its doors permanently effective March 31, 2024. Please CLICK HERE to see the details

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Somnas offers state-of-the-art diagnostic options to identify specific sleep disorders and manage them using the latest treatments and therapies with an individualized treatment plan to ensure long-term optimal outcomes.