Sleep apnea and the heart are related in a delicate, biological dance that affects the quality and length of our lives. It behooves all of us to pay attention to this relationship so that if we ever develop sleep apnea symptoms, we can quickly address the problem and remedy it.

We all know that blood is the life force in our bodies, carrying precious cargo: all kinds of different cells that help our bodies function, fight infection, and regenerate new cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen, instrumental in making sure all processes performed by the body are carried out properly.

When sleep apnea occurs, this delicate balance is interrupted repeatedly. Oxygen is deprived from the body's cells over and over again, from 30-40 seconds for up to a minute or more throughout the night.   Since it happens during sleep, we don't even notice it. However, our body may develop symptoms that range from benign to life threatening.

Benign factors include hypersomnolence which is extreme sleepiness, headaches, and memory problems. The more serious consequences of interrupted oxygen delivery caused by sleep apnea include weight gain which can lead to health issues of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease; job impairment which can cause work-related accidents; and motor vehicle accidents. 

Concerning cardiovascular problems, scientists are now realizing there are serious ramifications regarding sleep apnea and the heart. When deprived of oxygen, blood vessels constrict, the heart pumps harder through these vessels, and blood pressure spikes. Considering that apneic episodes can occur hundreds of times per night, the link between sleep apnea and hypertension, stroke, congestive heart failure, and an irregular and fast heart beat is significant.

The ability of the blood in our bodies to carry a high level of oxygen saturation to all parts of the body is vital to keeping us alive, safe, and feeling well. Sleep apnea robs us of that.   Like a thief in the night, it steals our quality of life and shortens our life span, bit by bit, in such a subtle manner we may not even be aware of it.  

As the connection between sleep apnea and the heart becomes common knowledge, patients with heart disorders should ask their doctor to order a polysomnography test at a sleep clinic and doctors should be willing to take such a course of action. In concert, patients and doctors can work together to eradicate the dire consequences inflicted upon the over 18 million sufferers of sleep apnea.