Sleep apnea takes a serious toll on the entire body. Not only does it have mental effects, but there are also physical consequences of poor sleep and the loss of breath that occurs during an apnea. 

Today is Valentine's Day and February is National Heart Month, so today we're going to examine the effects of sleep apnea on the heart--both physically and emotionally. 

How Sleep Apnea Affects Heart Health

Cardiovascular Health

People with sleep apnea are more likely to have high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, strokes and heart failure. People with severe untreated sleep apnea:

• Are 5x more likely to die from heart disease
• Die at 3x times the rate of the general population

That's right: Having untreated sleep apnea triples your risk of dying. These numbers are particularly disturbing because sleep apnea is treatable, and many of these health consequences are reversible.

But why is sleep apnea so harmful to the heart? Studies show that lack of sleep for any reason increases the risk of cardiovascular ill-health. Also, when breathing stops during an apnea, the heart has to pump especially hard--as we'll see below.  

Blood Pressure and Stress

In a healthy person, blood pressure drops during sleep. If sleep is insufficient, this natural drop never happens. Eventually, the body's lack of rest a leads to chronic hypertension, which damages every organ in the body, including the heart.

Normally, the heart rests during sleep, but in sleep apnea patients, exactly the opposite occurs; the heart has to work harder to compensate for low oxygen levels. Sleep-deprived individuals also tend to experience random fluctuations of blood pressure and exhibit biochemical changes that are associated with stress and inflammation. None of these factors are good for heart health. 

Sleep Partners

Untreated sleep apnea isn't just bad for your body. It can also interfere with other matters of the heart--like your relationships. 

Sleep apnea sufferers have a very high rate of divorce. Even when couples don't actually divorce, their relationship suffers. Around 90% of sleep apnea sufferers end up sleeping alone every night as the significant other flees the bedroom to find someplace restful to sleep.

That's because the restless sleep of an apnea sufferer can disturb his bed partner too. Sleep apnea sufferers make A LOT of noise as they attempt to sleep. They snore, snort, gasp, and toss and turn.  None of these things are likely to improve your romantic partner's sleep. Also, being sleep-deprived triggers cranky moods, not the loving, patient attitude required for a relationship.

Diagnosis and Treatment

There's good news: with the right treatment, the negative effects of sleep apnea can be almost completely reversed. 

The most common treament for sleep apnea is a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, which keeps the airway open during sleep and ensures a restful slumber. Along with revitalized sleep, use of a CPAP machine over time can heal many of the health consequences of the disorder. For instance, studies have shown that using a CPAP device almost immediately lowers blood pressure. 

Now is the time to show your heart some love. If you have untreated sleep apnea, or suspect that you might be suffering from a sleep disorder, talk to your doctor, or contact us. We can help you diagnose and treat the condition and restore your health and sleep. 

Photo Credit: Simon Mason