The Heart of the Matter: How Sleep Apnea is Linked to Cardiovascular Disease

If you have a heart condition, you may also have a sleep disorder that affects your breathing. This is called sleep apnea, and it is highly prevalent in patients who have cardiovascular disease. (1) Sleep apnea it can be either obstructive or central. Obstructive sleep apnea happens when your airway is blocked by your tongue or throat muscles. Central sleep apnea happens when your brain does not send the right signals to your breathing muscles. Both types can cause a pattern of breathing called Cheyne-Stokes respiration, which is irregular and shallow. (2)

Sleep apnea can harm your heart in many ways. It can make your blood pressure go up, damage your blood vessels, cause inflammation, and trigger abnormal heart rhythms. Studies have shown that people with sleep apnea have a higher risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and atrial fibrillation. (3)

To diagnose sleep apnea, you need to do a sleep study. This is a test that records your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and other signals while you sleep. You may do it at home or in a sleep lab.

The treatment for sleep apnea depends on how severe it is and what type you have. The most common treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which is a device that delivers air through a mask to keep your airway open. You may also use an oral appliance, which is a device that fits in your mouth and moves your jaw forward. Some people may need surgery to remove excess tissue from their throat or nose. (4)

If you have sleep apnea, you should also make some lifestyle changes to improve your health. These include losing weight if you are overweight, avoiding alcohol and smoking, sleeping on your side, and treating nasal congestion.

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can affect your heart health. If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, such as snoring, gasping, or choking during sleep, daytime sleepiness, or morning headaches, talk to your doctor. Treating sleep apnea can help you breathe better and protect your heart.

References:

1. Javaheri S, Barbe F, Campos-Rodriguez F, et al. Sleep Apnea: Types, Mechanisms, and Clinical Cardiovascular Consequences. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017;69(7):841-858. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2016.11.06. 

2. Eckert DJ, Jordan AS, Merchia P, Malhotra A. Central sleep apnea: Pathophysiology and treatment. Chest. 2007;131(2):595-607. doi:10.1378/chest.06.2287

3. Jean-Louis G, Zizi F, Clark LT, Brown CD, McFarlane SI. Obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease: role of the metabolic syndrome and its components. J Clin Sleep Med. 2008;4(3):261-272.

4. Nikisha GN, Mohana Karthikeyan S. Modified Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with Tonsillectomy in Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022;74(3):272-278. doi:10.1007/s12070-021-02443-w

5. Image credit: <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/human-heart-design_879663.htm#query=heart%20medical&position=2&from_view=search&track=ais">Image by kjpargeter</a> on Freepik