WHY MEN DIE DURING THE NIGHT
The Sleep Disorders and Cardiovascular Events - the Connection
Many men find that they begin to develop heart problems at a reasonably young age. What most men do not realize, however, is that there can be a causal relationship between sleep disorders and heart dysfunction.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year, over one million Americans suffer a heart attack. About 450,000 of those are fatal. People know the usual risk factors for heart attacks include smoking, alcohol intake, weight, and a history and/or family history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. Now though, a newer area of research is looking into another link for heart attacks and strokes - a very common relationship - that of sleep apnea and heart dysfunction.
Research has shown that long hours at work combined with sleep deprivation can increase blood pressure and heart rates to such an extent that chest pains or a cardiac arrest can result. But when sleep deprivation is added people face a two-fold to three-fold increased risk of a heart attack. Sleep deprivation and sleep disorders are found to be a very important, yet, under-appreciated causative factor in heart attacks.
Sleep apnea is a common condition for men. It is a condition where the person stops breathing temporarily for short periods of time because of an obstruction of the airway path, often numerous times throughout the night. It can last a few seconds or up to a minute each occurrence. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is where the tube carrying air to the lungs collapses periodically and blocks the airflow. Most people either overlook it or are not even aware they have the condition or of the significance of the condition.
However, doctors now know that there is a definite relationship between sleep apnea and a variety of heart dysfunctions. Epidemiological studies have shown significant associations between OSA and hypertension, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, heart failure, and stroke. Studies show that men with untreated severe sleep apnea are more likely to have a heart attack.
Recent research shows the differences between healthy men, men who have simple snoring, and men with treated and untreated sleep apnea and heart attacks. Those with severe and untreated sleep apnea proved more likely to have a fatal or non-fatal heart attack. Sudden death at night is more common for people with sleep apnea as apnea may act as a trigger for night-time heart attacks. It can contribute to congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, or an irregular heartbeat. People with untreated sleep apnea are two to four times more likely to have a stroke. It is related to glucose intolerance and insulin resistance and diabetes, and untreated it increases the risk of getting Type 2 diabetes. It contributes to motor vehicle accidents - a common cause of highway fatalities is staying awake and concentrating while driving which is impaired due to the increased tiredness because of apnea. It affects daytime alertness, concentration, and contributes to mood lability.
Treatment for sleep apnea is essential. Treating OSA lowers blood pressure and tends to improve cardiac function for patients with heart failure. It diminishes the risk for heart attacks, if not removing it completely.
Treating sleep apnea can improve life and makes each day better. Treatment is really a simple function which results in a significant difference in both physical and emotional well being. It starts by having a sleep test, and then treatment as needed. If nothing else, the most positive result with treatment is that a person will find that they will subsequently have many more good nights of sleep.
The Sleep Disorders and Cardiovascular Events - the Connection
Many men find that they begin to develop heart problems at a reasonably young age. What most men do not realize, however, is that there can be a causal relationship between sleep disorders and heart dysfunction.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year, over one million Americans suffer a heart attack. About 450,000 of those are fatal. People know the usual risk factors for heart attacks include smoking, alcohol intake, weight, and a history and/or family history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. Now though, a newer area of research is looking into another link for heart attacks and strokes - a very common relationship - that of sleep apnea and heart dysfunction.
Research has shown that long hours at work combined with sleep deprivation can increase blood pressure and heart rates to such an extent that chest pains or a cardiac arrest can result. But when sleep deprivation is added people face a two-fold to three-fold increased risk of a heart attack. Sleep deprivation and sleep disorders are found to be a very important, yet, under-appreciated causative factor in heart attacks.
Sleep apnea is a common condition for men. It is a condition where the person stops breathing temporarily for short periods of time because of an obstruction of the airway path, often numerous times throughout the night. It can last a few seconds or up to a minute each occurrence. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is where the tube carrying air to the lungs collapses periodically and blocks the airflow. Most people either overlook it or are not even aware they have the condition or of the significance of the condition.
However, doctors now know that there is a definite relationship between sleep apnea and a variety of heart dysfunctions. Epidemiological studies have shown significant associations between OSA and hypertension, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, heart failure, and stroke. Studies show that men with untreated severe sleep apnea are more likely to have a heart attack.
Recent research shows the differences between healthy men, men who have simple snoring, and men with treated and untreated sleep apnea and heart attacks. Those with severe and untreated sleep apnea proved more likely to have a fatal or non-fatal heart attack. Sudden death at night is more common for people with sleep apnea as apnea may act as a trigger for night-time heart attacks. It can contribute to congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, or an irregular heartbeat. People with untreated sleep apnea are two to four times more likely to have a stroke. It is related to glucose intolerance and insulin resistance and diabetes, and untreated it increases the risk of getting Type 2 diabetes. It contributes to motor vehicle accidents - a common cause of highway fatalities is staying awake and concentrating while driving which is impaired due to the increased tiredness because of apnea. It affects daytime alertness, concentration, and contributes to mood lability.
Treatment for sleep apnea is essential. Treating OSA lowers blood pressure and tends to improve cardiac function for patients with heart failure. It diminishes the risk for heart attacks, if not removing it completely.
Treating sleep apnea can improve life and makes each day better. Treatment is really a simple function which results in a significant difference in both physical and emotional well being. It starts by having a sleep test, and then treatment as needed. If nothing else, the most positive result with treatment is that a person will find that they will subsequently have many more good nights of sleep.