Why Would a Cardiologist Order a Sleep Study?

Sleep apnea is characterized by frequent breathing pauses that can stress and even harm the cardiovascular system as a whole. Several biochemical mechanisms have been proposed, yet more research is needed to fully understand how sleep apnea affects the cardiovascular system and causes heart disease.

1. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system: The amount of oxygen in the blood reduces each time a person with sleep apnea stops breathing.
   • Specialized cells in the body known as chemoreceptors detect changes in the body’s oxygen levels and trigger the sympathetic nervous system, causing blood pressure spikes, narrowing of blood pressure, and irregular breathing patterns.
   • Repeated fluctuations in blood pressure may cause hypertension or worsen preexisting hypertension if the breath pauses persist throughout the night.
2. Changes in pressure within the chest: The upper airway narrows or closes when a person with obstructive sleep apnea tries to breathe in.
   • These unsuccessful, forceful inhalations can significantly alter the chest cavity's pressure.
   • These repeated intrathoracic pressure shifts can trigger atrial fibrillation (an irregular, frequently rapid heartbeat), issues with blood supply to the heart, and even heart failure.
3. Oxidative stress: A person with sleep apnea can successfully inhale after each breath pause.
   • This inhalation replenishes the tissues of the body, including the blood and lungs, with much-needed oxygen.
   • Oxidative stress, which is brought on by frequently changing oxygen levels, can be extremely damaging to the body.
   • Systemic inflammation, as well as neurochemical and physiological responses that raise the risk of heart disease, can all be promoted by oxidative stress.

Knowing when to consult a doctor is crucial because untreated sleep apnea has serious health consequences. If you're worried that you could have sleep apnea, your primary care physician or a specialist (such as a sleep physician or an ear, nose, and throat physician) are all excellent resources.

A thorough sleep assessment and polysomnography are frequently used as diagnostic tests for sleep apnea to identify or rule out this dangerous illness.

A few typical sleep apnea warning signs and symptoms include:

• Frequent, loud gasping or snoring during sleep
• Breathing less deeply or pausing during sleep
• Daytime drowsiness and tiredness
• Difficulty staying focused and paying attention
• Headaches or a dry tongue when you wake up
• Reduced libido or sexual dysfunction
• Frequent nighttime urination

Depending on the type of sleep apnea found, the following treatments may be used:

1. Positive airway pressure devices: These pump air through the airway to prevent the upper airway from collapsing during sleep
2. Lifestyle changes: Doctors may start by explaining to people how changing sleeping posture, as well as losing weight, exercising, consuming less alcohol, and quitting smoking may be beneficial.
3. Mouthpieces and oral appliances: Oral appliances reduce disordered breathing by changing the position of the jaw, tongue, or another part of the body that’s constricting the airway.
4. Surgery: Surgery to treat sleep apnea may involve removing bodily components that restrict the airway or implanting devices that stimulate the muscles surrounding the airway to contract.
5. Mouth and throat exercises: Depending on the underlying reason for a person's sleep apnea, specific mouth and throat exercises may help tone these muscles and reduce the likelihood that they may obstruct breathing while a person is sleeping.