First lets look at the causes and patterns of sleep apnea When the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much they do not allow for normal breathing The muscles support your mouth roof soft palate the hanging tissue from the soft palate uvula the tongue and the tonsils
When these muscles are relaxed the airway narrows as you breathe lowering the oxygen level in your blood and causing a buildup of carbon dioxide Your brain is triggered by the impairment in breathing which rouses you from sleep Snorting choking or gasping is correcting the problem with a few deep breaths
Linking Sleep Apnea and Heart Attacks
One study conducted in 2021 found a high correlation between OSA and heart related conditions OSA prevalence is as high as 40 to 80 in patients with hypertension heart failure coronary artery disease pulmonary hypertension atrial fibrillation and stroke Despite its high prevalence in patients with heart disease and the vulnerability of cardiac patients to OSA related stressors and adverse cardiovascular outcomes OSA is often underrecognized and undertreated in cardiovascular practice
Because heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States doctors are working hard to make a stronger case for untreated sleep apnea to prevent heart conditions that could be fatal
According to heartorg call 911 if you experience these heart attack symptoms
Chest discomfort Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or it may go away and then return It can feel like uncomfortable pressure squeezing fullness or pain
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms the back neck jaw or stomach
Shortness of breath This can occur with or without chest discomfort
Other signs Other possible signs include breaking out in a cold sweat nausea or lightheadedness
Symptoms of OSA
Developed in 2008 the STOP Bang questionnaire was intended as a pre screening tool for the obstructive sleep apnea OSA surgical population However its popularity grew to include sleep clinics the general population and other special populations for those at high risk for sleep apnea
Snoring
Tiredness
Observed apnea
High blood pressure
In addition the Mayo Clinic defines a number of symptoms to watch for with sleep apnea
Snoring that disturbs your own sleep or a partner spouse or roommate
Waking up from sleep choking or gasping for air
Pausing in sleep your breaths it may look like you are holding your breath
Increasing daytime sleepiness that occurs at work home or in your car
Although there is a lot of work ahead of researchers trends in healthcare are finding an increase in obesity which increases the chances of sleep apnea diagnoses If you have any questions or concerns regarding obstructive sleep apnea or any other sleep related questions feel free to contact The Alaska Sleep Clinic for further information and be on your way to getting the nightly rest you need
Sleep duration is now considered an essential component for ideal heart and brain health Lifes Essential 8™ cardiovascular health score replaces Lifes Simple 7™ according to a new Presidential Advisory Lifes Essential 8Updating and Enhancing the American Heart Associations Construct on Cardiovascular Health published today in Circulation the Associations flagship peer reviewed journal
Other updates to the measures of optimal cardiovascular health now for anyone ages 2 and older include a new guide to assess diet accounting for exposure to secondhand smoke and vaping using non HDL cholesterol instead of total cholesterol to measure blood lipids and expanding the blood sugar measurements to include hemoglobin A1c a key measure to assess Type 2 diabetes risk
Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the US and globally According to the Associations 2022 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update approximately 1215 million people in the US have high blood pressure 100 million have obesity more than 28 million people have Type 2 diabetes and only 1 in 4 adults reported achieving the physical activity and exercise recommended in the US Department of Health and Human Services Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans 2nd edition Various research studies over the past two decades indicate more than 80 of all cardiovascular events may be prevented by a healthy lifestyle and management of known cardiovascular risk factors including poor sleep
If you believe you may have sleep apnea and are concerned about the health risks associated with the disorder discuss your symptoms with your primary physician and ask if a sleep study is right for you And if you live in Alaska be sure to ask them about having your study performed at The Alaska Sleep Clinic or contact us for a free 10 minute phone consultation by clicking the link below
