SLEEP AND HEART DISEASE

WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?

Sleep Apnea is a health problem that is as common as diabetes or asthma, and affects over 18 million Americans. It can impact your heart health in serious ways. It has been linked with high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure and stroke. In fact, 50% of congestive heart failure patients, 40% of all hypertensive patients, and 30% of coronary artery disease patients have Sleep Apnea.

Sleep Apnea occurs when air is blocked from entering the lungs during sleep. For air to get to the lungs it must first go through the “upper airway” that includes the nose and mouth. The airway is similar to a tube, and some parts have a tendency to collapse. When collapse occurs behind the tongue, air cannot get from the nose or mouth into the lungs.

To prevent collapse, there are muscles in the airway that keep the airway open. During the day these muscles work completely. However, when a person sleeps, these muscles relax. Normally the airway stays open even when the airway relaxes. In people with Sleep Apnea, the airway partially collapses causing snoring, or completely collapses, blocking breathing.

Seventy-five percent of Sleep Apnea sufferers go undiagnosed, putting them at higher risk for heart-related illnesses. It is very important to diagnose and treat Sleep Apnea to protect and improve your heart health.

RISK FACTORS

The Role of Weight
Weight gain increases the tendency for the airway to collapse. The reasons are not completely known. Fat can accumulate in the tissues surrounding the airway, just as fat accumulates in other parts of the body. The accumulation of fat can change the shape of the airway rendering it more likely to collapse.

Thus, it is not surprising that some studies have found that persons with a large neck are at higher risk for sleep apnea. Typically men with a neck size of approximately 17 inches or higher and woman with a neck size of approximately 16 or higher may be a risk for Sleep Apnea.

Alcohol and Medications
Alcohol and some medications relax airway muscles, and drinking alcohol can worsen or tip someone into obstructive sleep apnea.

Sleep Position
When lying on your back, gravity pulls the tongue toward the back of the mouth. This, too, increases the tendency for the tongue to pinch off airflow during sleep. Some people have obstructive sleep apnea or have more severe sleep apnea on their back.

Smoking
Smoking irritates the tissues of the upper airway, and can cause them to swell. Swollen tissues increase the chances of physically narrowing the airway.

TREATMENT

The gold standard of treatment for Sleep Apnea is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). It is a device worn during sleep that keeps the upper airway open. Other treatments than can be used include surgery and drug therapies.

RESULTS

There are proven benefits from Sleep Apnea therapy in improving overall heart health and lowering blood pressure. Specifically, the CPAP has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease for heart patients, and patients with diabetes.