{"id":722,"date":"2025-07-31T14:50:41","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T14:50:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.weatherfordsleep.com\/blog\/?p=722"},"modified":"2025-08-08T14:56:36","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T14:56:36","slug":"the-connection-between-sleep-apnea-and-cardiovascular-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.weatherfordsleep.com\/blog\/2025\/07\/31\/the-connection-between-sleep-apnea-and-cardiovascular-health\/","title":{"rendered":"The Heart of the Matter: The Connection between Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you suffer from sleep apnea<\/a>, you may believe that the biggest danger in this condition lies in your ability to get a good night’s sleep. Though getting proper rest may be the main<\/em> problem, disorders like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often pose other risks to your overall health, including to your heart. Here\u2019s how this condition can affect your cardiovascular health, and what you can do about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While you likely already know that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can negatively affect your sleep, what you may not realize is that it can be extremely dangerous to your heart. In fact, having OSA can increase your risk of CVD and even lead to worse outcomes from it. Furthermore, it has also been connected to higher rates of coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and stroke, as well as left ventricular diastolic dysfunction which can raise your risk of heart failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleep Apnea and Sudden Cardiac Arrest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another dangerous risk of OSA is an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Researchers believe that this is because sleep apnea may cause abnormal heart rhythms which may lead to sudden cardiac death. This is because it could lower your oxygen levels, activating your fight-or-flight response. This, in combination with the changes the pressure in your chest when your airway closes stresses your heart. It may also increase inflammation and cause dangerous changes in your blood vessels, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disorders: Who\u2019s at Risk?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Recent studies have connected severe OSA to higher mortality rates, even after accounting for risk factors including obesity. In one five-year study of nearly 11,000 patients, those who had OSA had a higher risk of sudden cardiac death. Participants at the highest risk were people aged 60 and older with moderate to severe sleep apnea. In fact, when their oxygen saturation levels fell below 78 percent, their risk of this increased by 80 percent!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study also found that among those with OSA, they had two to four times higher risk of abnormal heart rhythms than those without sleep apnea, and people  with OSA are more than 2.5 times as likely to experience sudden death between the hours of 12 am and 6 am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Reduce My Risk of Cardiovascular Disease with OSA?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you currently suffer from OSA and are concerned about your heart health, there are many steps you can take to protect your health, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n