Sleep apnea not only makes us feel tired, it takes a serious toll on the body, contributing to the development of numerous health conditions and accelerating the progression of others. Left undiagnosed and untreated, sleep apnea significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular events, stroke, and even sudden death. But what makes sleep apnea so dangerous? Explore our guide below to understand how this condition impacts your health and why timely treatment is essential.
How Does Sleep Apnea Harm the Body?
Sleep apnea places tremendous stress on the body during sleep, disrupting vital restorative processes. As we drift off, the muscles in our airway relax, sometimes to the point of collapse, blocking airflow and mimicking a state of breath-holding multiple times per night. This obstruction reduces oxygen levels, forcing the body to struggle against a closed airway. The effort itself alters the pressures within the chest cavity, placing strain on the heart and other organs (1).
To combat this, the body’s natural response is to wake up briefly to reopen the airway and restore breathing. This process triggers a surge in blood pressure and heart rate—at a time when the body should be in a state of rest and repair. Repeated episodes of low oxygen, combined with spikes in blood pressure and heart strain, lead to the release of stress hormones, causing systemic inflammation and widespread damage over time (1).
As research highlights, sleep apnea is highly prevalent and directly linked to numerous serious health conditions, including:
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Heart Failure
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Stroke
- Metabolic Dysfunction
How Does CPAP Reduce the Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease?
CPAP therapy helps restore the body’s natural breathing patterns during sleep, allowing for truly restful and restorative sleep—essential for overall health. By maintaining an open airway, CPAP eliminates the frequent awakenings caused by sleep apnea and enables the body to achieve the deep sleep stages necessary for physical repair and rejuvenation.
From a cardiovascular perspective, CPAP minimizes the stress placed on the heart. It prevents the spikes in blood pressure and sudden surges in heart rate that occur during apnea episodes, reducing the heart's workload during sleep. Recent studies confirm that consistent CPAP use, for at least four hours per night, significantly lowers the risk of cardiovascular events, underscoring its effectiveness in protecting heart health (1).
How Does CPAP Reduce the Risk Of Stroke?
Sleep apnea significantly contributes to stroke risk by increasing blood pressure, reducing heart function, and causing oxygen level fluctuations, which trigger an inflammatory cascade in the body. For individuals who have already suffered a stroke, there is also a higher chance of developing central sleep apnea, which can further hinder recovery.
CPAP therapy has been clinically proven to help reduce stroke risk by addressing these critical factors. It works to stabilize blood pressure, improve oxygen levels, and reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Studies suggest that CPAP use not only lowers the likelihood of cerebrovascular events but may also support recovery in post-stroke patients by improving sleep quality and reducing strain on the cardiovascular system (1).
How does CPAP Reduce the Risk of Metabolic Dysfunction?
Sleep apnea increases inflammation and stress hormones, contributing to insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction. CPAP therapy helps prevent airway collapse, reducing inflammation and restoring metabolic balance. Studies show that prediabetic individuals experience improved insulin sensitivity with consistent CPAP use, especially when worn for 8 hours nightly over two weeks. The best results are seen when CPAP is combined with regular exercise, further enhancing metabolic health. While more research is needed on CPAP’s impact on advanced diabetes, it is clear that treating sleep apnea can lower the risk of metabolic issues and improve overall well-being (1).
Sources
(1) The Interplay Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Diseases, ScienceDirect