Sleep apnea or OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) is common in the United States. 1 out of every 4 or 5 American is prone to OSA. In the last few years, there has been enough discussion on co-relation between sleep apnea and hypertension or how does sleep apnea cause hypertension.
Early diagnosis of sleep apnea can help manage hypertension, but it requires time, medications, and a disciplined lifestyle. How can sleep apnea-related hypertension be dealt with in patients? How are sleep apnea and high blood pressure associated? Why does sleep apnea cause high blood pressure? On this page, we have solutions and answers to all your related concerns.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep Apnea (osa) is a sleep disorder in which the airways of patients are blocked during sleep. It is a sleep problem associated with regular nighttime waking. It may also cause daytime sleepiness and snoring.
How does sleep apnea cause hypertension
It is believed that more than 50% of the population having sleep apnea is also constantly struggling with higher blood pressure. Sleep apnea may cause blood pressure fluctuations in multiple ways.
A common cause of high blood pressure in OSA patients is a lack of sleep (less than 5 hours) and sleep interruptions due to sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea may also cause the following and help elevate blood pressure levels:
- Inflammation in the whole body
- Disruptions in the metabolic states
- The Sympathetic nervous system boosts in activation
- Oxidative stress
Let’s discuss in detail.
Intermittent Hypoxia (Lack of Oxygen):
In sleep apnea, breathing can stop and start. Even for a moment, when breathing stops, blood oxygen levels start dropping. Carbon dioxide levels go up. It can have an effect on the way the heart receives and pumps blood within the body.
Increased Sympathetic Nervous System Activity:
Why does sleep apnea cause high blood pressure Sympathetic nervous system can cause a boost in heart rate and the constriction of the blood vessels. It releases epinephrine or adrenaline as well as noradrenaline. Such changes can cause higher blood pressure at any time of the day when the patient is awake.
Higher Levels of Inflammatory Markers:
Intermittent hypoxia is also known to cause systemic inflammation. Certain Inflammatory cytokines have the potential to damage the linings of the blood vessels known as the endothelium. Elasticity reduces in the damaged blood vessels, causing more chances of constriction, which can lead to the problem of chronic hypertension.
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) activation:
Stress response may easily trigger RAAS. Renin leads to angiotensin I and ACE to angiotensin II. It is Angiotensin II that may be responsible for vasoconstriction and aldosterone stimulation. The mechanism further elevates blood pressure and volume gradually.
Increased Blood Pressure During Apnea Events:
Does sleep apnea cause high blood pressure? Yes, it does. Sleep apnea can cause a significant elevation in blood pressure levels due to:
- A Sudden drop in oxygen
- Sympathetic forms of arousal
- Intrathoracic pressure when the body attempts to breathe
Such repeated disruptions may make the body more prone or habitual to hypertension and its initial symptoms.
Long-Term Effects of Sleep Apnea on Hypertension
Sleep apnea must never be left untreated. If you have been wondering how does sleep apnea cause hypertension, you must know that there are multiple complications associated with hypertension that are often long-term.
Heart disease:
Why does sleep apnea cause high blood pressure? Sleep apnea and higher blood pressure can lead to increased forms of stress on the heart. It may cause thickening of heart muscles (Left ventricular hypertrophy), CAD, Arrhythmias and even cardiac failure. It is the repeated lack of oxygen that may overload the heart.
Stroke:
The first risk factor for stroke is hypertension. Sleep apnea may enhance damage to the blood vessels, blood clot risks and stiffness in arteries. Repeated elevation and drops in blood pressure can may cause the potential for hemorrhagic or ischemic strokes.
Kidney damage:
High blood pressure can also cause damage to glomeruli, which are the little filtering units present in the kidneys. Sleep apnea may cause RAAS activation, increasing pressure in arteries of the kidneys. It also leads to oxidative stress and inflammation causing fibrosis. All this may result into increased levels of chronic kidney problems.
Diabetes:
Sleep apnea is also often connected with insulin resistance, irrespective of health problems like obesity. How does sleep apnea cause hypertension? Hypertension is deeply related to insulin resistance and both are actively co-present. The presence of both may often increase the risks associated with vascular complications and metabolic syndrome.
Can Sleep Apnea Cause High Blood Pressure During the Day?
Yes. Sleep apnea can affect blood pressure during the day, too. OSA is often indicated by shallow breathing or pause in breathing.
It is the surge in the systolic and diastolic pressure that may cause elevated blood pressure during the night.
Sudden awakenings and lack of oxygen are common in sleep apnea patients. Sympathetic nervous system may impact blood pressure not just during the night but also during the daytime.
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Can Sleep Apnea Kill You?
Sleep apnea and high blood pressure: a dangerous pair!
Sleep apnea cannot kill an individual directly. When the condition is left untreated, the resulting health complications may rather cause severe harm. Heart ailments, heart failure, stroke, higher BP, sudden cardiac arrest and death, and car accidents (due to improper sleep and drowsiness).
Ignoring the problem may turn out to be fatal. If you have been wondering how does sleep apnea cause hypertension, it not only causes hypertension but many other health concerns.
Can Sleep Apnea Be Cured?
How does sleep apnea cause hypertension and other health problems? It causes most of the issues when left untreated. Sleep apnea may not be cured completely in adults. It can only be reduced or managed.
Weight loss, CPAP, positional therapy and surgery can help. If the risk factors such as aging and weight gain come back, it may be triggered again.
How Does CPAP Affect Blood Pressure?
CPAP has been commonly accepted as a standard and effective treatment for sleep apnea. Patients get a stream of air pressure that travels through their mouth or nose. It ensures that your airways are wide open.
It is the force of the air going within that avoids any kind of obstruction. The same stream of air avoids breathing pauses that may wake patients up. Use of CPAP may lower your blood pressure levels during the daytime.
How to Manage Hypertension Caused by Sleep Apnea
Treating the root cause of sleep apnea and hypertension with CPAP, good lifestyle and antihypertensive medications can help.
Sleeping on either side may target increasing pressure on the airways.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy
What is CPAP?
It is the process of gently blowing pressurised air through a mask into the airways, keeping it open for easy breathing. It targets sleep apnea, snoring problems, and frequent waking up during the night.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy is recognised as standard treatment for OSA.
Benefits
How can you benefit from CPAP for sleep apnea?
- Better sleep quality
- Low BP
- Reduced risks for heart problems, diseases, and strokes
- Better cognitive functions, focus and mood. (Modalert 200 Australia can also help attain these)
- Reduction of blood sugar levels
Lifestyle Changes:
Lifestyle changes should include:
Weight loss:
Losing weight can help improve conditions like hypertension, diabetes, blood pressure and consequently sleep apnea.
Healthy diet:
DASH diet, more veggies, fruits, whole grains, and low-sodium food.
Regular workout:
At least 30 minutes of workout should be targeted.
Less alcohol use:
Cut back on alcohol, as it may increase drowsiness, poor memory and poor alertness levels.
Control over smoking:
Smoking and the use of tobacco may cause airway obstruction, hence not advised.
Medications
If CPAP and lifestyle modifications fail, medications such as certain ACE inhibitors, herbal supplements, some diuretics, few beta-blockers and ARBs can help. Artvigil 150, Waklert 150, Modavigil 200, Smartfinil 200, and Modalert 200mg available on Medzsquare can help treat sleep apnea and its symptoms.
Surgical Options
Surgery for attempting to improve anatomical abnormalities causing OSA can help treat symptoms.
Conclusion
If you have always been thinking about how does sleep apnea cause hypertension, now you probably know the answer. Lack of oxygen, stress response, and sleep disruption may lead to heart damage, stress, and stroke. This chronic strain on an individual’s cardiovascular system may cause sleep apnea and hypertension. Proper treatment and medication can be a game-changer.