Sleep apnea is more than just loud snoring or feeling tired during the day—it’s a serious, widespread condition that affects millions of people worldwide! What’s even worse is that many patients are also entirely unaware that they have it, meaning they’re susceptible to all of the health complications it can lead to. But did you know that it can even cause cardiovascular issues when left untreated? Here’s more about this connection, along with why treating sleep apnea doesn’t just help you sleep better; it protects your heart in the long run.
How Sleep Apnea Affects the Heart
When you have sleep apnea, your breathing pauses repeatedly throughout the night. Each time this happens, your body briefly wakes up to restart breathing, often without you even realizing it. These pauses may be brief, but they can occur dozens or hundreds of times each night, and they place significant strain on your cardiovascular system. Essentially, every episode of sleep apnea is like a small shock to your cardiovascular system, and night after night, the damage adds up.
In fact, every episode can lower the amount of oxygen in your blood, forcing your heart to work even harder than normal to provide your body with proper blood flow. Plus, they can also trigger spikes in blood pressure that stress your system even further. Over time, this can even lead to heart disease and a higher risk of stroke.
Why Sleep Apnea Treatment Can Prove Impactful
The good news is that treating sleep apnea can make a dramatic difference in not only your sleep, but also your overall health—including your cardiovascular system. Treatment options like custom-made oral appliances and CPAP machines can keep the airway open throughout the night, and by doing so, they allow your body to breathe normally. In turn, this can help to stabilize your blood pressure, reduce the strain on your heart and arteries, and lower the risk of serious issues down the road. Making specific lifestyle changes can also curb the impact of sleep apnea symptoms, though nothing is quite as effective as professional treatment.
Plus, many patients also find that once they begin treatment, they don’t just feel more energized during the day; they also enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing they’re managing their condition. Stress can greatly impact the cardiovascular system, too, so in this way, sleep apnea treatment does the mind just as much good as the body!
About the Practice
Our team here at Dentistry by Brand has served patients and families in Garland and the surrounding North Texas metroplex for several years, offering a wide variety of services including sleep apnea treatment with the help of custom-made oral appliances. If you have any questions about the blog or about sleep apnea, or you’d like to get in touch with us to ask about treatment for your condition, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (972) 495-9009.