In an effort to increase heart health awareness, Nordonia Hills.News has been featuring weekly articles related to heart health. This week we will focus on sleep as it relates to the heart. How well do you sleep? Do you wake up several times a night, or wake up tired? Do you feel tired with difficulty keeping your eyes open while taking a long drive?
Sleep is supposed to be restful and replenishing for the body, but when it isn’t it can create problems specifically related to your heart. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is when the air flow stops its normal operating while sleeping. If air flow stops going to all the body’s organs as it should, the body releases stress hormones, which over time can lead to heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure. Tip: Loud Snoring with periodic pauses and daytime sleepiness are two signs/symptoms to watch out for in yourself, or your significant other.
There are many variables to consider when researching the cause of sleep apnea, and it is best to be evaluated by a physician if you suspect it. Some risk factors include neck and waist size, with the rate of middle age persons being affected; 34 % of men, and 17 % of women, according to the American Heart Association. Physical characteristics of the throat, tongue, nasal areas, along with being overweight are also evaluated to rule out anatomical risk factors.
According to the American Heart Association, “OSA has been associated with a number of cardiovascular complications, including hypertension, Atrial fibrillation (incorrect heart rhythm), coronary artery disease, stroke, and heart failure”. Controlling risk factors and/or getting a sleep study prescribed by a medical professional are important in preventing heart issues related to Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
“As a dental professional of more than twenty years I’ve witnessed the signs of sleep apnea first hand when I’ve reclined patients in the dental chair. When a patient is reclined, the soft palate, tongue and other throat tissues relax and fall back into the airway, restricting airflow in some patients who have other risk factors such as obesity. It is important to ask more questions as their dental healthcare provider when this happens. Some patients have even snored in the dental chair while getting their teeth cleaned!”, says Nicole Rapp, BSDH, RDH.
Getting good quality sleep, reducing high body weight and body mass index, and getting medical physicals provided by your healthcare practitioner are some controllable risk factors. Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the body’s inability to provide adequate oxygenation through the body while sleeping, is strongly correlated to heart issues, but is only one area linked to heart health discussed herein. There are many variables to consider other than OSA that affect the heart, many are controllable, while others are not.
