Rest Easy: Treating Sleep Apnea Decreases Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke
Successfully treating sleep apnea and loud, constant snoring can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, according to the experts at the Midwest Center for Sleep Disorders in Aurora.

It's estimated that more than 12 million Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, yet only 10 percent have been diagnosed. "We haven't covered the tip of the iceberg," said Oksana Shulzhenko, M.D., a pulmonologist, "Patients think this is the way their body works, but that doesn't mean that it's normal."

Though not exclusive to any single group, sleep apnea is most commonly found in middle-aged men, post-menopausal women and people who are overweight. Sleep apnea can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, as the body struggles to breathe during the night. As the upper airway collapses, often as many as 50 to 100 times an hour, air is prevented from entering the lungs. The oxygen level in the blood drops, and the heart has to work harder to restore the proper functions.

“It’s like your heart is working the third shift,” Dr. Shulzhenko said. “Normally, sleep is a relaxation time for the cardiovascular system. With sleep apnea, you can’t take deep breaths, and the heart takes the toll. It never gets any rest.”

For a patient who already has heart disease, sleep apnea can be deadly. “The low level of oxygen adversely stimulates the cardiovascular system, weakening the heart even more,” said Dr. Shulzhenko. “It’s critical to treat the sleep disorder to protect the heart.”

Without quality sleep, people feel less energetic, which can lead to becoming overweight and feeling depressed. “It’s a vicious cycle,” said Dr. Shulzhenko. “But today, doctors are asking more sleep-related questions, and patients are becoming more aware about how sleep disorders can affect their overall health and quality of life.”

Primary care physicians normally refer patients to the sleep center, but oftentimes a family member initiates a consultation. During a sleep study, a patient sleeps in a private “sleep suite” equipped with all the comforts of home -- a full-size bed, cable television and a bathroom.
While the patient sleeps, electrodes record brain activity, breathing, chest movements and microphones record snoring. The results and treatment recommendations are sent to the patient’s physician for review. “Once a sleep disorder is diagnosed, it can almost always be treated successfully,” Dr. Shulzhenko said. “This may include medication, changes in daily habits or work schedules, or the use of a simple device to relieve upper-airway obstruction.”

Dr. Shulzhenko smiles as she recalls the story of a patient diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, who used one of these devices, which requires electricity, to keep his airway open at night. An avid hunter, the patient bought a generator so he could sleep soundly while on hunting trips.

“When people sleep well, they feel so much better,” she said. “You don’t realize how much you need quality sleep until you lose that ability.”

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