Sleep Apnea Can Lead to Early Death

September 28th, 2009 · No Comments

Welcome back!

If you snore or gasp while you are sleeping, not only are you likely to disturb your sleep partner, but you probably have sleep apnea, a condition that can damage your heart. Men and women who struggle with sleep apnea are at a 46 percent increased risk of dying an early death as opposed to those who do not have the nighttime breathing problem.

Although more than 12 million people have sleep apnea, most do not know it and therefore do not realize they are at risk for a possible early death. Risk factors include obesity, high blood pressure, heart failure, and strokes.

Sleep apnea causes people to shortly stop breathing repeatedly in their sleep – sometimes hundreds of times per night, often for a minute or longer. During each episode of apnea, the brain briefly wakes the sleeper with a loud snort or choking sound, so he or she can start breathing again. Naturally, one’s quality of sleep is poor and can result in extreme daytime sleepiness.

The National Institutes of Health note males over 40 are at a greater risk, but children can also be affected. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to:

High blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease
Increased risk of or damage from heart failure
Damage to the lining of blood vessels
Increased tendency for blood clots and stroke
Irregular heartbeat

Treatment for sleep apnea is relatively simple. Your health care specialist can refer you to a certified sleep center for evaluation. After initial testing, usually an overnight sleep study is performed.

If you have moderate to severe sleep apnea, you will usually begin using a mask attached to a small Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. The machine provides a continuous flow of “room air” that will keep your airway open.

If you believe you have sleep apnea, see your primary physician for referral to a certified sleep center. Taking these relatively easy steps can prevent more severe complications and provide you with a good, healthy night’s sleep.