Sleep Apnea Linked to Cardiac Arrest

Periodically I appear in this space to share some bad news about sleep apnea, a poorly understood sleep disorder that has been linked to a host of health problems including stroke and depression. Today, I’m afraid, will be no exception: The Mayo Clinic recently completed a sobering review of apnea’s long term health effects. The conclusion was dire:

People with sleep apnea have a higher risk of dying from sudden cardiac arrest, a new, long-term study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology finds. The study was based on research collected by the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders Centers.

The reason so many problems seem to flow from obstructed airways during sleep is simple: ceasing to breathe is a perilously dangerous thing to do. The strain this places on the heart and lungs can be extraordinary, and that’s before we factor in the collateral health problems associated with not sleeping.

My sinus surgery practice offers a number of substantive procedures that may be used to improve respiration during sleep. From turbinate reduction surgery to nasal septoplasty, we have helped many patients to help breathe easier every night. Feel free to call or email us today to learn more about how you can safely improve your sleep.

Tags: cardiac arrest, sinus surgery, sleep apnea