WHAT RISKS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH UNDIAGNOSED SLEEP APNEA?
What you don't know can shorten your life.
New research indicates that Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can aggravate high blood pressure and diabetes, and OSA that remains undetected and untreated will significantly increase the risk of stroke or fatal heart attack.
OSA is characterized by the repeated narrowing or collapse of the upper airway during sleep, which restricts or prevents breathing for 10 seconds or more each occurrence. When breathing is compromised, the oxygen saturation in the circulating blood drops and the heart tries to compensate by pumping harder. With repeated apneic events, the supply of oxygen to other organs becomes progressively depleted – so instead of restful rejuvenation during sleep, the heart and other organs actually become more stressed.
Elevated blood pressure triggered by episodes of apnea has been considered the major reason for the serious cardiovascular consequences of untreated OSA. However, newer information suggests that there are additional factors. OSA is associated with an increase in the amount of inflammatory cells and chemicals in the blood stream. Inflammation in the lining of blood vessels plays a role in atherosclerosis, the blockage of arteries. Research also has shown an association between OSA and increased blood levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine, substances that raise blood pressure and impact inflammation.
Left untreated, sleep apnea can significantly increase your risk for:
- Cardiovascular events such as angina, heart attacks and heart failure
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Accidents
- Depression
- Weight gain
- Erectile dysfunction
Most people with apnea remain undiagnosed because OSA happens while sufferers are sleeping. A physician must order a sleep test to confirm a suspected case of OSA.
We can help you find a doctor in your area who has experience with home sleep tests. To get started, click here .