What is the relationship between hypertension and sleep apnea? To understand it, we will go step by step. First, let us talk a bit about obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Obstructive sleep apnea is a prevalent syndrome, yet it is not quite well known. It is characterized by the obstruction of the upper airways during sleep. Usually, this obstruction is accompanied by a decrease in blood oxygen saturation, followed by a brief awakening during the night to breathe.
The main episodes of this disorder during sleep are snoring, breathing pauses and sleep fragmentation. Consequently, these symptoms trigger several hardships throughout the day (daytime drowsiness, fatigue, headaches and mood swings) and cognitive alterations (problems with concentration and memory). If you present any of these symptoms, your physician will provide a diagnosis by prescribing the appropriate sleep monitoring exams .
On the one hand, there is the Biologix Sleep Test® , a simple, efficient and clinically validated test that can be conducted at home. You just need to place the sensor on your finger before going to sleep and start the Test on the Biologix app. When waking up the next morning, tap on “Finish test”, and you will receive the results via email in a matter of seconds.
On the other hand, the diagnosis can be carried out through an exam known as polysomnography. This exam is more complex and requires the patient to spend the night in a sleep lab. The patient is monitored with sensors that record the airflow through the nose and mouth, blood oxygenation, heart rate, brain activity, and movements of the chest and limbs.
Sleep Apnea Can Cause Hypertension
An article titled “Sleep Apnea and Hypertension”was published in 2009 by the Brazilian Society of Cardiology (source: https://www.portal.cardiol.br/). This article talks about the fact that obstructive sleep apnea can be found in more than one-third of systemic hypertension patients. The reason for this is not only related to the risk factors both conditions have in common, but also because sleep apnea contributes to the emergence of hypertension.
Several studies were conducted with patients whose blood pressure falls within the normal range. One of the findings was that those patients with obstructive sleep apnea exhibit repeated increases in blood pressure. These increases are associated with apnea episodes and were often considered non-dippers, meaning their blood pressure did not decrease during sleep-wake rhythms. This pattern is considered to have an increased risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Sleep apnea can cause hypertension. The oxygen drop and an increase in carbon dioxide and negative intrathoracic pressure can affect arterial blood pressure regulation through hormone mechanisms and neurotransmitters. Evidence shows that patients who suffer from sleep apnea have increased adrenaline activity, decreased sensitivity of baroreceptors, increased vascular response, and altered salt and water metabolism.
Systemic hypertension is a chronic disease where the blood pressure in the arteries is constantly elevated. This disease is silent; however, it is good to pay attention if the following symptoms were to appear:
- Headache;
- Nape pain;
- Blurred vision and dizziness.
Nevertheless, it is normal for a patient with high blood pressure not to experience symptoms.
In the long term, hypertension is one of the main risk factors for serious diseases such as coronary artery disease, stroke, infarction, arterial aneurysm, and kidney and heart failure.
The risk factors that can trigger hypertension include:
- A diet high in salt.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Irregular sleep.
- Diabetes.
- Family medical history: if an individual has one hypertensive parent, they have a 25% chance of developing the disease. If both parents are hypertensive, the chances rise above 60%.
Now that we are clear about the risk factors, we must begin to prevent this disease, and the first step is a healthy lifestyle, which brings numerous benefits. Adopting a healthy diet with less salt, engaging in regular physical activity, and reducing stress levels can help lower blood pressure.
IMPORTANT! Only properly qualified physicians and dental surgeons can diagnose diseases, recommend treatments and prescribe medications. The information available herein is for educational purposes only.
