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Are you waking up exhausted after a full night’s rest? It could be a sign that your body’s struggling to get enough oxygen while you sleep. Sleep apnea will make you tired, but it also puts serious strain on your heart. Capital Cardiology Associates is here to help you learn more so you can work with your heart doctor and manage your condition early. Keep reading to find out how sleep apnea affects heart health and what you can do to protect yourself.
Sleep apnea is linked to high blood pressure. Every time your breathing stops, oxygen levels drop, which tells your brain to wake up just enough to resume breathing. This usually happens without you realizing it. Repeated interruptions will put your body into a state of stress and trigger a surge of adrenaline and cortisol. Eventually, this can lead to higher blood pressure, which puts additional stress on your heart. People with sleep apnea frequently develop resistant hypertension, which doesn’t always respond well to medication. This can make treatment more challenging. A trusted cardiologist in District Heights will often recommend sleep studies for patients who struggle to control their blood pressure with lifestyle changes and medication. If the high blood pressure goes untreated, it could damage arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks or strokes.
Sleep apnea can also disrupt your heart’s normal rhythm. Lower oxygen levels can make your heart unstable and lead to conditions like atrial fibrillation. During episodes of sleep apnea, the body struggles to balance carbon dioxide and oxygen levels. The imbalance may trigger electrical disturbances in the heart. Other types of arrhythmias, like bradycardia or ventricular arrhythmias, are also more common for people with sleep apnea. If you’ve been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat, your cardiologist might recommend a sleep study to determine if sleep apnea is contributing to the condition.
The cycle of disrupted oxygen supply and increasing blood pressure can start to weaken the heart muscle. This can lead to heart failure if it becomes severe enough to disrupt the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. People with heart failure and untreated sleep apnea may experience more severe symptoms like swollen legs, chronic fatigue and shortness of breath. Thankfully, treating sleep apnea has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization from complications.
If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, your heart doctor can create a treatment plan that will lower your risk of developing serious heart problems. The most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is CPAP therapy. A CPAP machine will deliver a steady flow of air through a mask that’s worn at night to keep your airway open. Many people notice improved energy levels and blood pressure once they start using their CPAP machine consistently. Lifestyle changes are also helpful. Losing extra weight, avoiding alcohol before bedtime, and sleeping on your side can reduce the severity of sleep apnea. Oral appliances or surgery can also be used to keep your airway open. If you have central sleep apnea, treatment might involve treating underlying medical conditions or the use of specialized breathing devices and supplemental oxygen.
Millions of people suffer from sleep apnea, but many remain undiagnosed. Ignoring symptoms could have serious consequences, but the right treatment plan can make a dramatic difference in your long-term health and quality of life. If you’ve been struggling with high blood pressure, fatigue, or an irregular heartbeat, you might want to take a closer look. Capitol Cardiology Associates is here to help local patients. We provide comprehensive care and work closely with sleep specialists to make sure that your heart stays strong. If you need testing, treatment, or ongoing management, we’re here to help. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
