The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Heart Arrhythmias

Cardiovascular conditions often increase the risk of other chronic problems, and the reverse is also true: A health issue away from your heart can increase your risk of heart disease. For example, someone with diabetes is at higher risk of coronary artery disease. 

Because cardiovascular disease is a comorbidity of so many other conditions, the providers at Heart & Vascular Institute, with six Michigan locations, are thorough when it comes to testing and discussing their patients’ medical histories.

One of the most common links we find is between obstructive sleep apnea and heart arrhythmias. Let’s take a look at why these two conditions are associated — and how you can protect yourself. 

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition that causes you to stop breathing while you’re asleep. You may not realize you have it, or you may simply think that you snore — snoring is the most common symptom of OSA.

When you have OSA, the tissue at the back of your throat collapses and obstructs your airway, so your body doesn’t get the oxygen it needs. You may wake gasping for air throughout the night, or you may not completely wake up. 

Other symptoms of OSA include: 

• Feeling sleepy or overly tired throughout the day
• Problems focusing during the day
• Dry mouth in the morning
• Headaches when you wake up
• Decreased libido
• Waking frequently throughout the night

OSA is a serious disease, and if you have any symptoms, discuss them with your doctor. Effective treatments are available, and you should feel much better once you restore high-quality sleep. 

Heart arrhythmias

The word arrhythmia refers to any unusual heart rhythm. Some arrhythmias are normal. For example, when you run, your heart rate increases, and that’s technically an arrhythmia.

However, arrhythmias sometimes lack clear explanations, and that can be dangerous. If you’re relaxing in your favorite chair after a long day and your heart suddenly starts beating like you’re running up a flight of stairs, talk to your doctor. 

The most common arrhythmia linked to OSA is bradyarrhythmia, when your heart beats too slowly. Another common problem for people with OSA is atrial fibrillation, or AFib. 

AFib happens when the electrical impulses that cause the upper chambers of your heart to contract get out of sync and fail to pump blood efficiently. 

We have several effective treatments for arrhythmias, but they don’t work as well if you have untreated OSA. Treating both conditions is the best way to protect your heart. 

What you should do

If you have symptoms of OSA, arrhythmia, or both, talk to your doctor. Getting a sleep study and an evaluation of your cardiovascular health can help determine what treatments you need to be as healthy as possible. 

Schedule an appointment by phone or online at the Heart & Vascular Institute location near you today.