Burke, Fairfax and Fairfax Station, VA
According to the American Heart Association, 46% of US adults suffer from hypertension. Because heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, high blood pressure is therefore a major concern for Americans. As luck would have it, sleep apnea can be a major contributor to hypertension, making your ability to breathe properly while you’re asleep even more crucial than it was without that knowledge.
When air supply gets cut off, the brain naturally attempts to restore its oxygen supply. To reopen the airway, in addition to waking you up, the brain also tells your heart to pump harder and faster. This results in an increase in blood pressure. As a result of the heart working overtime, the added stress can also cause other forms of cardiovascular illness.
The leading sleep apnea-related cause of death is thus, unsurprisingly, cardiovascular death.
Cardiovascular Illnesses Related to Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a headache well enough on its own. The necessity for sleeping with a dental appliance in or CPAP machine is not anyone’s ideal sleeping situation. Even worse, sleep apnea can cause other health conditions, especially of the cardiovascular variety.
People with sleep apnea are at an elevated risk for the following cardiovascular illnesses:
- Coronary artery disease
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Hypertension
These conditions can be incredibly detrimental to your health and in some cases even lead to death. By seeking treatment at the first signs of breathing difficulty, you are working to prevent the potential possibility of developing cardiovascular problems.
Snoring and Cardiovascular Risk
Simple snoring alone can contribute to cardiovascular risk. The vibrations caused by snoring can cause tiny blood vessel injuries which can then scar and lead to arterial hardening. Hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, can in turn lead to higher blood pressure, and cause a stroke or heart attack.
Schedule An Appointment with Dr. Marzban Today
Being able to breathe is unquestionably paramount to good health. A blocked airway can have a variety of health implications, perhaps most notably hypertension. If you suffer from sleep apnea or are experiencing trouble breathing and are concerned about the potential implications for your cardiovascular health, we recommend scheduling a consultation with Dr. Marzban today by calling 703-323-8200.
