Are SLEEP APNEA AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE related? There are many negative side effects of sleep apnea and these include high blood pressure. Sleep apnea is a form of sleeping disorder that is manifested by repeated stoppages or pauses in breathing. Persons suffering from this can oftentimes wake up at night feeling choked and breathless. This can occur as many as 50 times in an hour and each episode can last as long as ten or more seconds unless the person wakes up. Waking up enables the person to breathe normally again before falling back to sleep. Brief, frequent occurrences of awakenings often results in poor quality rest and other serious side effects such as high blood pressure also called hypertension. A study published by Johns Hopkins found that people with moderate to severe sleep apnea (those with 15 or more sleep apnea pauses per hour of sleep) were twice as likely to experience high blood pressure as those without pauses. Since many sleep apnea patients are obese and already at increased risk, this is a significant finding and should encourage more people to seek help and treatment.

Risk of Sleep Apnea and High Blood Pressure

Normally, an individual’s blood pressure drops when he/ she is sleeping. However, due to the stress caused by sleep apnea (low blood oxygen, high carbon dioxide, lack of quality sleep, etc., the heart rate of a person with sleep apnea can become elevated and irregular. In addition, the blood vessels walls become stiffer, further exacerbating the problem. This can cause an increased possibility of cardiovascular diseases like stroke, heart attack and high blood pressure. 

sleep apnea and high blood pressure
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sleep apnea and high blood pressure

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Individuals with sleeping disorders like sleep apnea often don’t recognize their symptoms unless they’re sleeping with another person in the same room or consulting with a doctor regarding some of their symptoms.  Obstructive sleep apnea symptoms include snoring, fatigue, irritability, night time heartburn, chest pain, night sweats, leg swelling and morning headaches.

Treatment for Sleep Apnea and High Blood Pressure

There are a couple of options to treat this ailment depending on its causes. Among the most common suggested treatments for mild sleep apnea sufferers are minor changes in lifestyle. These include finding proper sleeping positions, reducing alcohol intake, avoiding use of sedatives and muscle relaxants, refraining from smoking and most importantly losing weight through regular diet and exercise. There are sleep apnea cpap machines to regulate air pressure and prevent airway blockage while sleeping  as well as cpap alternatives such as oral sleep apnea devices that are worn at night to help open the airway. There is a wealth of information about sleep apnea and high blood pressure online at quality websites, including this one. If after reviewing your symptoms you believe you may have sleep apnea, you should consult with your doctor or visit a clinic that specializes in this type of illness.

Sleep apnea and high blood pressure are serious conditions. Treating your sleep apnea may reduce your risk of having high blood pressure while also decreasing your risk of developing heart disease and stroke or even death from sleep apnea. Getting a good night’s sleep and proper rest are critical components to maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle and will surely contribute to a happier, more worry-free life. Being well- informed and knowledgeable about the causes and effects of sleep apnea and high blood pressure, is the first step.

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