Hypertension, or ‘high blood pressure,’ is one of several conditions that can potentially increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Mayo Clinic indicates that heart failure, type 2 diabetes, lung conditions like asthma, some hormonal disorders, a history of strokes, and polycystic ovary syndrome can also be risk factors.
As explained in the latest sleep apnea book by established specialist Dr. Dylan Petkus, sleep apnea occurs due to blockages or obstructions in the airway. This condition can worsen if you have any of the above conditions or are overweight, increasing the pressure on your airways while you sleep.
Finding the right way to help boost natural nighttime breathing is key because the reduction in blood oxygen that occurs during sleep apnea can also strain your cardiovascular system. Whether you already have hypertension, a heart condition, or are in an at-risk category, sleep apnea can impact your overall wellbeing.
What Is the Link Between Sleep Apnea and High Blood Pressure?
Both hypertension and sleep apnea can escalate the risk of the other or exacerbate your symptoms. Clinical studies note that sleep apnea is a recognized cause of secondary hypertension because fluctuations in blood pressure at night can create sustained higher blood pressure during the day even when your breathing returns to normal. Therefore:
- During the night, when sleep apnea sufferers struggle to get enough airflow, their blood pressure rises and falls quickly due to elevated breathing speeds and intermittent periods where they stop breathing–usually also waking up.
- When the person is awake, their breathing will often revert to a normal speed, but their blood pressure can remain high, creating a cycle of hypertension due to their nervous and vascular systems responding to stress.
Is sleep apnea dangerous? Many people assume that sleep disturbances are minor, and provided you introduce breathing techniques and healthy sleep hygiene habits that restore normal sleep; this may be the case. Unfortunately, unaddressed or progressively more severe sleep apnea symptoms can have ramifications for your health.
We need sleep to function; without it, issues like irritability, mood swings, fatigue, and daytime sleepiness are common. Over time, prolonged lack of sleep can lead to problems with liver, kidney, and heart health.
Snoring, Sleep Apnea, and Hypertension
Does snoring mean sleep apnea? Many people with sleep apnea do indeed snore, but snoring can also be harmless and possibly a symptom of something else, such as hypertension–independently of sleep apnea.
An article published by News-Medical.net found that regular snoring has a ‘strong association’ with high blood pressure, even in people without obstructive sleep apnea. However, excessive snoring is also more common in overweight and older adult men, who may be equally susceptible to sleep apnea.
There are known connections between all these symptoms and conditions. Working to make positive changes to your sleep environment, breathing techniques, health, nutrition, and physical welfare can prove highly beneficial as a tool to aid your holistic and overall health.
That said, if you are concerned about high blood pressure or any aspect of your medical wellbeing, the first step is to book an appointment with your physician to ensure you are aware of any underlying conditions or have reviewed any medications you are currently taking to ensure these remain suitable and safe.
Choosing the Right Options to Boost Better Sleep and Reduce Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Many people with hypertension and sleep apnea find that conventional options like CPAP machines have minimal impact on their blood pressure. Researchers indicate that this type of device achieves ‘relatively small’ results and is typically combined with medications to manage blood pressure. However, reducing the frequency of waking at night, optimizing your breathing to minimize sleep apnea symptoms, and ensuring refreshing, restful sleep can be incredibly beneficial and assist with all kinds of challenges.
Our goal is to help sufferers overcome obstructive sleep apnea, teaching techniques, and exercises that promote healthy, natural breathing patterns that can help to slow the speed at which you breathe, reduce pressure on your airways, and enhance your relaxation every night. More details about our targeted guidance, breathing technique audios, and other resources can be found on the Optimal Circadian Health website and in our latest publication, Sleep Apnea Solution!
References:
- Marshall NS et al. Sleep apnea and 20-year follow-up for all-cause mortality, stroke, and cancer incidence in the Busselton Health Study cohort. J Clin Sleep Med. 2014;10(4):355-362.
