You probably know that sleep apnea robs you of the restorative sleep you need and can make you sleepy during the day. Did you also know it can significantly affect your overall health, including the condition of your heart?
At North Texas Sleep Solutions, we’re dedicated to finding the right sleep apnea treatment to help you get a full night’s rest and reduce the health problems that can be caused by this condition.
Heart Problems and Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can negatively affect your heart in many ways. It changes how your body takes in oxygen, which can affect how your brain controls blood flow in your arteries and brain. Blood pressure increases during every sleep apnea episode due to the sudden drop in blood oxygen levels that occurs as you struggle to take in a breath. This struggle puts a strain on the entire cardiovascular system, often leading to heart problems.
High Blood Pressure – Sleep apnea increases your risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension), and can also make the condition worse if you already have it. For some patients, treatment for sleep apnea will help lower their blood pressure and it may allow some patients to cut back on the amount of medications they take.
Heart Disease – People with sleep apnea are more likely to have a heart attack and they’re at a higher risk of recurrent heart attack. Their risk for developing an abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) including atrial fibrillation (AFib) also increases. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may also lead to obesity, which is a main risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Contact North Texas Sleep Solutions for Treatment
Take action now to get the proper treatment for your sleep apnea to avoid the health complications that can develop from this condition. If you have sleep apnea and you’re concerned about how the condition may affect your heart, contact North Texas Sleep Solutions. We offer a range of sleep apnea treatment options including CPAP machines, airway surgery and oral appliance therapy.