When you think about major health problems, heart disease and sleep apnea might come to mind. But have you ever considered the connection between the two? Today, we’ll into this intriguing topic by exploring the relationship between sleep apnea and heart disease.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that affects your breathing while you sleep. Those who suffer from this condition experience pauses in their breathing or shallow breaths as they sleep. Such disruptions can happen hundreds of times each night, resulting in a lack of oxygen to your brain and body.
Understanding Heart Disease
Heart disease is an umbrella term that encompasses a number of different heart conditions. One of the most common types of heart disease is coronary artery disease, which can result in a heart attack.
The Sleep Apnea and Heart Disease Link
Recent studies suggest a strong relationship between sleep apnea and heart disease. The frequent disruptions to normal sleep patterns caused by sleep apnea lead to a lack of oxygen. This lack of oxygen, called hypoxia, forces the heart to work harder to pump blood to organs.
Why Does Sleep Apnea Put Strain on Your Heart?
These pauses in breathing increase the body’s stress levels, causing blood pressure to rise. Over time, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other serious conditions. Sleep apnea is also associated with conditions such as heart arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats, which further stress the heart, as well as the body’s metabolic system.
Managing Sleep Apnea to Prevent Heart Disease
By seeking treatment for sleep apnea, you can greatly reduce the risk of heart disease. Some common methods of managing sleep apnea include positive airway pressure (PAP) machines, dental appliances, lifestyle changes, and in severe cases, surgery.
Introducing Miami Designer Smiles
If you live in the Miami area and believe you may be suffering from sleep apnea, help is just a phone call away. At Miami Designer Smiles, led by Dr. Concepcion Sanchez-Garcia and Dr. Raul Garcia, we specialize in and effective sleep apnea treatment plans.
Conclusion
There’s no denying the relationship between sleep apnea and heart disease. , with proper treatment and management of sleep apnea, you can significantly reduce your risk. If you’re ready to enhance your health and pursue a sleep apnea treatment, the team at Miami Designer Smiles is here for you.