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Sleep Disorders Can Affect Cardiovascular Health
 

 
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The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Psalm 34:7
A sleep disorder known as sleep apnea has been linked to serious cardiovascular problems.

It’s important to take a good night’s sleep to heart. Your cardiovascular health may depend on it.

A sleep disorder known as sleep apnea has been linked to serious cardiovascular problems. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated, said Dr. Robert Schriner, MD, FCCP, Diplomate-American Board of Sleep Medicine, director of the Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville Sleep Disorders Center.

Sleep apnea is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep. The windpipe might be blocked by the tongue, tonsils or uvula (the little piece of flesh that hangs down in the back of the throat). It might also be blocked by fatty tissue in the throat or relaxed throat muscles.

Sleep apnea causes a person to stop breathing during sleep, often hundreds of times during the night, and results in poor quality sleep. Symptoms of sleep apnea include heavy snoring, gasping, frequent interruptions at night and feeling fatigued and sleepy during the day.

Sleep apnea leads to decreased levels of oxygen, which puts more stress on the heart and blood vessels throughout the body, Dr. Schriner said. Most sufferers don’t realize they have the sleeping disorder and thus go untreated, which can have significant consequences. Sleep apnea is now listed as a direct cause of high blood pressure. Evidence also strongly links sleep apnea with heart attacks, heart rhythm problems, stroke and congestive heart failure.

The disorder affects more than 12 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. Risk factors include being male, overweight and over the age of 40, but sleep apnea can strike anyone at any age, even children. Certain anatomical features can make sleep apnea more likely such as large tonsils, small or receding chin, or a large uvula, Dr. Schriner said. Also, chronic sinus and nasal congestion can aggravate the problem. Family history may play a role as well.

Scientific studies indicate that sleep also plays a major role in the body’s metabolism, blood pressure and ability to fight disease in addition to daytime alertness levels. Unfortunately, up to one-third of Americans do not get a good night’s sleep on a regular basis, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association.

If you suspect you have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder, visit your primary physician, Dr. Schriner said. The physician will screen for other possbile causes of the symptoms, such as thyroid problems. If sleep apnea is suspected, the physician will likely refer the patient to a sleep disorders center where professionals can administer a sleep test called a polysomnogram to determine what is causing sleep problems.

During the test, clinicians try to replicate the patient’s normal sleep routine. Sensors are placed on the patient’s scalp to measure brain waves, near eye sockets to measure eye movement and on the chin to determine muscle tension. An EKG monitors heart activity. Two elastic belts over the chest and belly monitor breathing movement. Sensors on the legs document leg movement and an oximeter measures oxygen levels and pulse rate. If sleep apnea is diagnosed, a treatment plan is determined. br>
There are four major treatments for sleep apnea:
  • Weight counseling for overweight and obese patients.
  • CPAP (continous positive airway pressure). CPAP is a machine that blows air into the upper airway via a nose mask, keeping the airway open and unobstructed. “The major problem with this treatment is compliance,” Dr. Schriner said. The sleep disorders center at Baptist Collierville has a special CPAP follow-up clinic that helps patients take care of issues that keep them from using their CPAP effectively.
  • A special mouth (dental) appliance that keeps the jawbone and tongue forward.
  • Surgery. If successful, surgery can be curative. But in about one-third to one-half of cases, surgery is unsuccessful, Dr. Schriner said.


The primary way to prevent sleep apnea is to keep one’s weight under control. People can also avoid habits that can exacerbate it. Alcohol relaxes the muscles and can contribute to sleep apnea. Cigarette smoking can irritate tissues. One should avoid sleeping on the back and sleep on the side instead.

It is vitally important that people take their sleeping problems seriously, Dr. Schriner said. “Don’t just attribute sleep problems to getting older,” Dr. Schriner said. “That may not be the case. It is very important that people understand the good resources available for treating sleep disorders.”

Published: Feb. 28, 2007
Source: Dr. Robert Schriner, MD, FCCP, Diplomate-American Board of Sleep Medicine, director of the Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville Sleep Disorders Center
Writer: Elizabeth Todd Bartholomew, MA, APR


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