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Get a FREE Report for
More Info on How
Sleep Apnea Can Be
Threatening
the Health
and Even the Life
of You or Your Loved Ones
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Heart Risks and Apnea
Over the past several years medical research has shown a relationship between OSA and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and congestive heart failure (CHF).
The occurrence of apneas cause low levels of oxygen and high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. As these levels become more and more out of balance, the body begins to struggle for air, causing a brief awakening and the resumption of breathing.
During each apnea episode the body experiences a progressive increase in nervous system activity, increasing blood pressure and causing increased or irregular heart rate. This stressful cycle causes higher levels of sympathetic nerve activity, which can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, the development of hypertension and heart failure.
The good news is that medical studies also show that treating OSA can have positive effects on the heart. A study from Greece, examined the serum levels of cardiovascular risk factors in the blood of 53 newly diagnosed OSA patients who hadn’t begun any CPAP therapy.
Before beginning CPAP therapy the serum levels of cardiovascular risk factors were elevated in the patients. Once the CPAP therapy started, they were grouped into 3 categories based on their compliance of actually using the CPAP unit. Group 1 had good compliance of wearing the CPAP for more than 4 hours per night. Group 2 had poor compliance, wearing the CPAP less than 4 hours per night. And Group 3 refused treatment altogether.
After 6 months of therapy researchers found a significant decrease in in Group 1, those who used the CPAP 4 hours or more per night. Group 2, those who used it less than 4 hours per night, had a decrease only in homocysteine levels (P=0.021). And Group 3 had no significant change in the serum levels of cardiovascular risk factors.
You can find out more about this and other studies in our Free Report.
If you think you may have sleep apnea, please contact your doctor so that you can go to a sleep lab for testing. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, make sure you have proper set-up done by a professional Respiratory Therapist, and that you have a good follow-up service to help you maintain your mask properly, such as SleepAlly.com.
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