How is obstructive sleep apnea linked with hypertension

1. How is obstructive sleep apnea linked with hypertension?

2. Obstructive sleep apnea refers to a condition where the patient experiences lapses in breathing. While he is asleep, his breathing stops and starts numerous times involuntarily. As a result, the airways collapse, blocking the airflow to the lungs, leading to snoring and gasping during the night. Also called high blood pressure, hypertension is a health issue where the force with which the heart pumps blood into the vessels gets higher than usual. Generally, people do not show symptoms and discover they have this health condition during routine check-ups. However, the problem should not be left untreated as it puts strains on cardiovascular vessels that may lead to heart issues, stroke, and other conditions. To find out how these health conditions are related to each other, read further!

3. How sleep apnea and hypertension are co-related? Sleep apnea and hypertension are linked to one another. Here is how this works- Both are caused because of obesity- It is observed that almost 50% of patients who have OSA also suffer from hypertension. The cause behind this is both of these stem from obesity. High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels are common symptoms in obese people. In addition, patients of obesity often have fat accumulated around their neck that can result in narrowed windpipes. This, in turn, can lead to airflow blockage leading to sleep apnea. Sleep apnea leads to high BP- When you have sleep apnea, the airways get blocked during sleep. The amount of air that is circulated to different body parts also reduces. As a result, the oxygen supply in the body decreases. To compensate for this, your heart starts pumping faster than usual in order to circulate the limited oxygen. It leads to high blood pressure, which is a cause of hypertension.

4. How does sleep apnea treatment affect BP? One of the most effective treatments for curing sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. It not only helps manage sleep apnea but also proves beneficial for improving hypertension. The treatment involves wearing a mask on your face through which air is forced into your lungs. Because of the constant stream of pressure, any obstructions that you may have in your airway are cleared.  Research studying the effect of CPAP in patients who have hypertension and Obstructive Sleep Apneasuggest that individuals get better by using this treatment. CPAP lowers blood pressure during the day and night and reduces catecholamine levels.

5. People can have a hard time adjusting to the CPAP machines. It is so because the device features a mask. And, those who are not used to it can experience trouble breathing in a cover. For treating sleep apnea, mouthpieces are another treatment option. They help in maintaining an open airway. However, more research needs to be done to determine if it can cure hypertension. So, sleep apnea is co-related with hypertension. It is so because both have obesity as risk factors, and sleep apnea increases blood pressure. Treating OSA through CPAP machines can reduce signs of hypertension.

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