Sleep Apnea

February 21, 2018

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic disease that afflicts nearly 30 million men and women in the U.S., and most remain untreated. Sleep apnea involves the repeated collapse of the upper airway during sleep. It puts an enormous strain on your heart by repeatedly causing oxygen levels to drop and blood pressure to surge as you sleep.

Severe Damage

Untreated, severe sleep apnea increases your risk of developing heart problems, and it more than doubles your risk of dying from heart disease.

Sleep apnea hurts HEARTS by increasing the risk of:

H - heart failure
E - elevated blood pressure
A - atrial fibrillation (A-fib)
R - resistant hypertension
T - Type 2 diabetes
S - stroke

Damage Control

The good news is that the effective treatment of sleep apnea is good for your sleep and your heart! Treatment with CPAP therapy improves your overall health and lowers your risk of heart problems.

Watch out for these common warning signs for sleep apnea:

  • snoring
  • silent breathing pauses
  • gasping or choking
  • daytime sleepiness or fatigue

Be aware of these risk factors for sleep apnea:

  • obesity (BMI of 30+)
  • narrow airway
  • large neck, tongue or tonsils 
  • recessed jaw

Talk to your doctor about your risk for sleep apnea. Jefferson County Health Center Sleep Lab is fully accredited with Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) and can provide all of your sleep diagnostic needs.

Guard your heart and avoid being #SnoredToDeath - get help for sleep apnea today!

Interesting Facts About Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea afflicts nearly 30 million adults in the U.S.
Source: AASM 2016

Severe, untreated sleep apnea more than doubles your risk of dying from heart disease.
Source: Sleep and Breathing 2016

Middle-aged men with severe sleep apnea are 58% more likely to develop heart failure.
Source: Circulation 2010
 
Between 30% and 40% of people with high blood pressure have sleep apnea.
Source: ChronoPhysiology & Therapy 2011

The risk for Afib is 2 to 4 times higher in people who have sleep apnea.
Source: Journal of Atrial Fibrillation 2016

Up to 85% of people with treatment-resistant hypertension have sleep apnea.
Source: ChronoPhysiology & Therapy 2011

Sleep apnea afflicts about 7 in 10 people who have Type 2 diabetes.
Source: Frontiers in Neurology 2012

People with severe, untreated sleep apnea are 2 times more likely to have a stroke.
Source: International Journal of Cardiology 2013

American Academy of Sleep Medicine