Can Sleep Apnea Lead to Heart Failure?

Sleep apnea can affect more than just your sleep. There are negative health effects that can result from sleep deprivation and more. Sleep apnea can even affect your heart, leading to heart failure. Untreated or severe sleep apnea can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, including an increased risk of heart attacks.

How Does Sleep Apnea Affect the Heart?

Sleep apnea can significantly impact the heart, posing various risks and contributing to the development or worsening of cardiovascular conditions.

Here are several ways in which sleep apnea affects the heart:

• Intermittent Oxygen Desaturation: During episodes of sleep apnea, you may experience interruptions in breathing, leading to a decrease in oxygen levels in the blood. This intermittent oxygen desaturation can strain the cardiovascular system and contribute to the development of heart-related issues.
• Increased Sympathetic Nervous System Activity: Sleep apnea triggers a stress response in the body, activating the sympathetic nervous system. This heightened activity can lead to increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and overall stress on the heart.
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Sleep apnea is strongly associated with the development and exacerbation of hypertension. The repeated cycles of apnea and waking during sleep can lead to elevated blood pressure levels over time.
• Arrhythmias (Irregular Heartbeat): Sleep apnea has been linked to the occurrence of arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. The disruptions in normal breathing patterns can affect the electrical activity of the heart, leading to irregular heartbeats.
• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Sleep apnea is considered a risk factor for the development and progression of coronary artery disease. The decreased oxygen supply during apnea events can contribute to the formation of atherosclerosis and increase the risk of heart attacks.
• Heart Failure: Chronic untreated sleep apnea may contribute to the development or exacerbation of heart failure. The strain on the heart, combined with the increased workload and oxygen demands, can contribute to the weakening of the heart muscle over time.

Understanding and addressing the impact of sleep apnea on the heart is crucial for overall cardiovascular health. Individuals experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, such as loud snoring, daytime fatigue, or witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep, should seek evaluation and diagnosis from a healthcare professional.

What Is Heart Failure?

Heart failure is a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to inadequate circulation and oxygen delivery to the body’s tissues. It doesn’t mean the heart has stopped working, but rather that it is struggling to meet the body’s demands.

What Can Cause Heart Failure?

Heart failure can result from various conditions that weaken or damage the heart muscle, such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart attacks, or diseases affecting the heart valves. These heart conditions can be a result of other health conditions, such as sleep apnea, that put stress on the heart and overwork it without allowing it to get the rest it needs during the night.

What Are the Types of Heart Failure?

The two main types of heart failure are systolic heart failure, where the heart’s pumping ability is reduced, and diastolic heart failure, where the heart’s ability to relax and fill with blood is impaired.

What Are the Symptoms of Heart Failure?

Common symptoms include:

• Chest pain
• Chronic cough
• Coughing up blood
• Coughing up mucus
• Decreased ability to exercise
• Decreased alertness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue
• Fluid retention
• Irregular heartbeat
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Rapid heartbeat
• Rapid weight gain
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in the ankles
• Swelling in the feet
• Swelling in the legs
• Swelling in the abdomen
• Weakness
• Wheezing

How Is Heart Failure From Sleep Apnea Treated?

Effective management strategies, including continuous oral appliance therapy, lifestyle modifications, and addressing underlying risk factors, can help mitigate the cardiovascular risks associated with sleep apnea.

How To Treat Sleep Apnea With an Oral Appliance

Dental devices that reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open can be prescribed, especially for individuals with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Such an oral appliance is a much smaller, quieter, and less obtrusive treatment option and is considered an alternative to CPAP machines.