Sleep Apnea and Heart Health

Sleep apnea, especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is linked to many heart and blood vessel problems, including high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, and heart failure. Because of this connection, doctors are increasingly focusing on treating sleep apnea not just to improve sleep but also to prevent or manage heart disease.

How Sleep Apnea Raises Heart Risks

• High Blood Pressure:
  People with sleep apnea are more likely to develop high blood pressure (hypertension). Even mild sleep apnea doubles the risk, while severe sleep apnea nearly triples it. For this reason, doctors now recommend checking for sleep apnea in people whose blood pressure is hard to control.
• Heart Disease and Stroke:
  Sleep apnea increases the risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes. The more severe the sleep apnea, the higher the chance of having these problems. Sleep apnea also raises the risk of dangerous heart rhythms and sudden cardiac death.

Why Does Sleep Apnea Affect the Heart?

Several factors explain why sleep apnea harms heart health:

• Mechanical Stress on the Heart:
  During sleep apnea episodes, your chest and heart experience unusual pressure changes that can strain the heart and blood vessels.
• Low Oxygen Levels and Stress:
  Sleep apnea causes repeated drops in blood oxygen, which can raise blood pressure quickly. Over time, these drops cause the body to adjust in ways that keep blood pressure high even when awake. These low oxygen episodes also trigger harmful inflammation and oxidative stress, damaging heart tissues.
• Inflammation and Blood Vessel Problems:
  Sleep apnea causes the body to release substances that cause inflammation and make blood vessels less flexible. This can contribute to the buildup of plaque in arteries and increase the risk of blood clots.
• Nervous System Overdrive:
  Sleep apnea activates the “fight or flight” part of the nervous system, raising stress hormone levels that keep blood pressure high and strain the heart.
• Effects on Blood Fats:
  Some research suggests that sleep apnea may also change cholesterol and other blood fats in harmful ways, although studies have had mixed results.

Bottom Line

Sleep apnea is not just a sleep disorder—it’s a serious risk factor for heart and blood vessel diseases. Treating sleep apnea can help reduce these risks and improve overall heart health.