Sleep apnea has been linked in multiple ways to heart problems. It is not difficult to understand why these two conditions would be connected considering the long-term effects that sleep apnea has on the body.
If you have sleep apnea, you experience periods in the night when your breathing becomes shallow or you might have pauses in your breathing for a few seconds or a couple of minutes. This causes the level of oxygen in the blood to decrease, which has a negative effect on the cardiovascular system.
A recent study conducted by Drexel University found obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is also common for people who suffer from OSA to have high blood pressure or to have hypertension, which each also have detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system.
Why Is This Link Important?
It is essential to understand that sleep apnea puts you at a greater risk for developing serious heart health problems. Therefore, treating sleep apnea is an important preventative measure to take when protecting yourself against these life-threatening conditions.