Treatment is Simple
Once properly diagnosed with sleep apnea, treatment is simple. Some begin treatment with a CPAP machine, which requires a source of energy throughout the night, and some use oral appliances that resemble mouth guards to ensure unobstructed airways. Schedule your first consultation with one of our Sleep Specialists to see if you qualify for a home sleep study.
Cardiovascular health is linked to your sleep
Yes, cardiovascular health is linked to your sleep, and given that 1 in every 4 adults has sleep apnea, it’s an important link to know about.
Sleep apnea happens when the airway is obstructed, causing a person to snore loudly or gasp for air repeatedly during the night. And each time a person with sleep apnea stops breathing, the body’s oxygen levels drop. When this happens, the body produces epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, which is a stress hormone. Over time, high adrenaline levels can lead to high blood pressure.
Clogged Arteries
Surges in blood pressure levels, which happen when a person with sleep apnea wakes up due to an obstructed airway, can damage the lining of the blood vessel and raise levels of LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol. Over time, these can lead to clogged arteries and decrease heart muscle functionality – two precursors to heart attacks.
Heart Attack
In fact, studies have shown that people with untreated sleep apnea are shown to be 2.5 times as likely to have a heart attack compared to those without sleep apnea.