Obstructive Sleep Apnea Raises Heart Attack Risk and Is Largely Undiagnosed, Doctor Warns
When we think of heart attack risk factors, the usual suspects come to mind: smoking, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. But one major threat, known as obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which can increase heart attack risk by 140 percent, is often missing from the conversation. OSA affects roughly 30 million Americans, yet 80 percent of cases go undiagnosed. While most often thought of as synonymous with snoring, sleep apnea is actually characterized by repeated pauses in breathing, sometimes 30 or more times an hour, which puts serious strain on the heart.
"When your throat collapses at night during sleep—what we call an OSA episode—blood oxygen levels drop," says Martin Hopp, Ph.D., M.D., medical director of Daybreak and OSA treatment leader at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. "When this happens, your brain responds as if you’re in danger, triggering a surge of adrenaline in your body. This sets off a chain of reactions, including a spike in heart rate and a rise in your blood pressure. Now imagine that happening 50 to 100 times per night."
Over time, OSA takes a serious toll on the body, and especially the cardiovascular system, setting the stage for heart attack, coronary artery disease, ischemic stroke, and chronic hypertension. Even if you think you’re sleeping through it, your heart absorbs the stress.
Related: The 5 Heart Tests Men Over 50 Should Never, Ever Skip, According to Cardiologists
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Unfortunately, many men normalize symptoms of sleep apnea, failing to realize how detrimental it can be to their health if left untreated. If you experience any of the below symptoms, they are not 'normal' and serve as signs to get tested:
- Chronic snoring: If it irritates your partner, get it checked
- Sleeping partner says you're gasping, choking, or have explosive snorts at night
- Witnessed pauses in breathing
- Waking up unrefreshed after 7–8 hours in bed
- Morning headaches
- Brain fog and slowed reaction time
- Irritability or low moods
- Afternoon crashes
- High blood pressure that’s hard to control
- Reduced libido or erectile dysfunction
Lowering Cardiovascular Risk
With OSA, your airway repeatedly becomes blocked during sleep, causing drops in oxygen and frequent awakenings. Each episode triggers stress hormones that raise blood pressure and force your heart to work harder, increasing the risk of hypertension, heart failure, and stroke. Over time, the constant strain can take a serious toll on your cardiovascular system.
Treating sleep apnea can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk, but consistency is key. Research shows that men who stick to a treatment plan consistently reduce their long-term cardiovascular strain. In patients with atrial fibrillation, addressing OSA also lowers the rate of recurrence after procedures.
"The key is to make it a permanent lifestyle change with a treatment plan that works for you, whether that is CPAP, something like a Daybreak Device, or another treatment modality you can tolerate," Dawson adds.
How to Treat Sleep Apnea
The right OSA treatment depends on severity and anatomy, and there are several proven options. Dawson notes that finding the right fit may take trying a few approaches, but don’t give up. Your health (and your life) depends on it.
"Aside from the below, other therapies can help as well, like positional therapy and hypoglossal nerve stimulation. But truly the most effective treatment is the one you will actually use every night," he adds.
CPAP
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP for short, is considered the gold standard for treating OSA. You’ve probably seen the machines, which are small devices connected to a mask that fits over your nose or mouth. When used correctly, CPAP can nearly eliminate apneas by keeping the airway open with steady air pressure.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy is growing in popularity thanks to its discretion. These small, quiet devices fit in your mouth like a custom mouthguard and gently move the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open while you sleep. They’re a great alternative for people who can’t tolerate CPAP.
Weight Loss
"Weight loss might be a treatment option that helps many men," Dawson says. "If excess weight is present, even a 10 percent reduction can significantly improve apnea severity. It's important to note that not all OSA is weight-related, but when it is, weight loss really makes an impact."
This article is for informational purposes only. If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, don’t rely on this content alone. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and personalized advice.