According to the Mayo Clinic, having obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can raise your risk of high blood pressure due to the sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that happen as a result of OSA. Sleep apnea can also have a significant impact on your heart. With these potential impacts on your health, it’s time to look at some sleep apnea solutions.
The Link to High Blood Pressure
OSA is common in the United States. An estimated one in four Americans is at risk of developing OSA, according to studies published by the American Heart Association (AHA). Here are a few key findings from the studies:
- Roughly half of people battling sleep apnea also deal with hypertension. Those with hard-to-treat high blood pressure often have sleep apnea.
- The AHA found a link between how severe a person’s sleep apnea is and how their body responds to blood pressure medication. The worse the sleep apnea, the harder it can be to bring blood pressure down.
- Younger people with sleep apnea may be prone to developing systolic and diastolic hypertension.
The AHA study also notes that getting less than five hours of sleep a night can seriously increase your chances of developing high blood pressure, especially for those under sixty. Some studies show that just one night of moderate sleep restriction can increase blood pressure. That’s why aiming for consistent sleep quality with seven to eight hours of sleep per night is so critical.
Can sleep apnea cause weight gain, as well? According to Healthline, these two issues have a complex relationship and often coexist. Managing a healthy lifestyle, including eating well, can help reduce the severity of your sleep apnea if you have extra weight to lose, but weight loss isn’t considered a cure.
Natural Approach to Sleep Apnea and High Blood Pressure
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines and mouthpieces are among the most common solutions for sleep apnea. What if we told you there are natural approaches you could incorporate to help support easier breathing and sleep?
Practicing sleep apnea self-care, such as breathing techniques, can help keep your airways open at night and improve nitric oxide production. This, in turn, can lead to better night’s rest and support better blood pressure.
Dylan Petkus, MD struggled with sleep apnea himself and shared what helped him become free of it in the Sleep Apnea Solution book and how others have also been able to have calmer and more restful sleep consistently.
