Impact of Sleep Apnea on Stroke Risk: How it Affects Your Health
In a significant discovery, Dr. Melissa Lipford, a neurologist at the Center for Sleep Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, has found a connection between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and stroke risk. The body's efforts to open the airway during sleep apnea episodes can lead to uncontrolled hypertension and atrial fibrillation, known risk factors for stroke.
OSA, a sleep-related breathing disorder most common in middle age and often associated with being overweight, can be both a cause and an after-effect of stroke. The disorder leads to low oxygen levels and high blood pressure, both of which increase the risk of a future stroke.
OSA is the most common type of sleep apnea, where soft tissue obstructs the airway, causing loud snoring. Living with a partner who snores can cause sleep deprivation and its associated health risks, including chronic pain, brittle bones, and a buildup of toxic waste in the brain that can contribute to Alzheimer's disease.
If diagnosed with sleep apnea, a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine may be suggested to keep the airway open during sleep. CPAP is the primary recommended therapy for OSA and is especially critical post-stroke, as OSA is present in over 70% of acute stroke patients and is linked to worse outcomes.
Daytime symptoms of OSA include drowsiness, headaches, short attention span, and memory loss. Other management strategies could include weight loss, positional therapy, oral appliances, or surgery depending on the severity and cause.
Addressing sleep apnea effectively is crucial not only for improving sleep quality but also for significantly reducing stroke and other cardiovascular risks. A 2005 study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients with OSA had a higher risk of stroke and deaths from all causes compared to a control group without sleep apnea.
Central sleep apnea (CSA), less common but just as dangerous, is characterized by misfired signals between the brain and the breathing mechanism, causing the person to stop breathing. The National Stroke Association, American Sleep Apnea Association, and The New England Journal of Medicine have all highlighted sleep apnea as a risk factor for stroke.
For patients who find CPAP masks uncomfortable, alternatives include oral or dental appliances that hold the tongue in place, and surgery of the soft palate and uvula. Maintaining a healthy weight, abstaining from alcohol, using a humidifier, and sleeping on your side can help alleviate snoring and other symptoms of sleep apnea, particularly in mild cases.
In a follow-up study, the group with sleep apnea experienced 22 strokes and 50 deaths, while the control group had 2 strokes and 14 deaths, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea. It is crucial for individuals experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea or snoring to seek medical advice to reduce their risk of stroke and other cardiovascular complications.
- The connection between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and brain health is significant, as OSA has been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease due to the buildup of toxic waste in the brain that can result from sleep deprivation caused by a partner's snoring.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, addressing sleep apnea effectively is crucial not only for improving sleep quality but also for significantly reducing stroke and other cardiovascular risks, as a 2005 study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients with OSA had a higher risk of stroke and deaths from all causes compared to a control group without sleep apnea.
- Furthermore, medical-conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and its associated risks, like high blood pressure and low oxygen levels, can impact cardiovascular-health, making OSA a recognized risk factor for stroke by organizations like the National Stroke Association, American Sleep Apnea Association, and The New England Journal of Medicine.
