Loud snoring can be irksome. But did you know it can be life-threatening? This is attributed to a condition called sleep apnoea, which can cause severe heart complications. The good news is sleep apnoea is sometimes preventable, particularly in cases where it occurs due to obesity. Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Sandeep Nayar, Senior Director and HOD-Chest and Respiratory Diseases, BLK-MAX Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, discusses the condition in detail and shares some preventive measures.
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What Is Sleep Apnoea?
“Sleep apnoea, an insidious condition that disrupts our sleep, poses a constant and often unnoticed threat to our overall health,” said Dr Nayar, adding, “Its covert nature lies in its silent strikes, affecting numerous lives without sounding any alarms.” It is characterised by the recurrent interruption of breathing during sleep and manifests in two distinct forms namely Central Sleep Apnoea (CSA) and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). According to the doctor, CSA is linked to neurological disorders or underlying medical conditions, while OSA primarily arises due to collapse or obstruction in the upper airway and is predominantly seen in obese patients.
A study published in the Journal of the Lancet Respiratory Medicine found that OSA is a common sleep-related breathing disorder, estimated to affect nearly 100 crore people worldwide.
Symptoms To Watch Out For
Dr Nayar said, “Early recognition of the signs of sleep apnea is crucial for timely intervention.” That said, common indicators that serve as telltale signs include:
- Disruptive snoring
- Observed episodes of breathlessness
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Emotional instability
Preventive Measures
According to the doctor, “If left untreated, sleep apnoea can lead to severe consequences, such as hypertension, stroke, abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure, diabetes, and mental health disorders.
“Fortunately, there are preventive measures that can shield us from the clutches of sleep apnea. Identifying and addressing the root causes, such as surgical removal of tonsils or adenoids, treatment of central causes, or the use of mandibular advancement devices, can provide relief,” he added.
Lifestyle modifications can also make a great difference. These include:
- Regular exercise
- Weight management
- Abstaining from alcohol and sedatives
- Quitting smoking
Sleep Apnoea And Heart Health
One of the most concerning aspects of sleep apnoea is its significant impact on heart health, says Dr Nayar. “Although researchers are actively investigating the intricate relationship between sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease, the undeniable correlation between the two is evident.”
As per the Sleep Foundation, patients with sleep apnoea are 2-4 times more at risk of developing heart arrhythmias than those without the condition. Additionally, sleep apnoea increases the risk of heart failure by 140% and the risk of coronary heart disease by 30%.
Dr Nayar states that sleep apnoea places the body under immense stress, depriving it of essential oxygen and wreaking havoc on the cardiovascular system. The repeated activation of the sympathetic nervous system, resembling a perpetual fight-or-flight response, raises heart rate, blood pressure, and constricts blood vessels.
“In the face of this silent adversary, awareness becomes our strongest ally. By recognizing the signs, adopting preventive measures, and safeguarding our heart health, we can break free from the grip of sleep apnoea,” he concluded.