Is sleep apnoea breaking your heart this Valentines day?

15 Feb Is sleep apnoea breaking your heart this Valentines day?

We know all too well the damage untreated OSA can do to the body, we see it all the time. Valentines day is all about love, flowers and love hearts. But what about your loved ones actual hearts? Perhaps we should take some time out to think about the health of hearts this Valentines day…

Sleep apnoea hurts HEARTS by increasing the risk of:

H – heart failure
E – elevated blood pressure
A – atrial fibrillation (A-fib)
R – resistant hypertension
T – Type 2 diabetes
S – stroke

What to look for in our loved ones:

  • snoring
  • silent breathing pauses
  • gasping or choking
  • daytime sleepiness or fatigue

 

Who may be at risk? Those loved ones with:

  • obesity (BMI of 30+)
  • narrow airway
  • large neck, tongue or tonsils
  • recessed jaw

Original article can be found here:

http://www.sleepeducation.org/healthysleep/sleep-apnea-hurts-hearts