Coronary artery disease is a buildup of plaque in the arteries that supply blood to your heart. It’s the most common type of heart disease in the United States.

Sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing starts and stops repeatedly throughout the night. It’s associated with higher rates of many types of cardiovascular disease, including The disease of the coronary arteries..

Researchers estimate 24 million people in the United States have obstructive sleep apnea but haven’t been diagnosed. Without proper treatment, sleep apnea can cause a negative loop: The sleep apnea worsens cardiovascular conditions that in turn worsen the sleep apnea.

There is a connection between sleep apnea and coronary arteries.

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder. It’s characterized by the repeated stopping of your breath while sleeping. Pauses in your breathing may occur hundreds of times each night.

The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea. It occurs when the muscles in your throat relax, and your tongue and soft palate block your throat while sleeping.

Researchers estimate obstructive sleep apnea affects roughly a quarter of people between ages 30 to 70 in the United States. Most of the research examining the connection between sleep apnea and heart disease is on obstructive sleep apnea.

Central sleep apnea is less common. It occurs when your brain doesn’t send signals to the muscles that control your breathing while you’re sleeping. It’s been estimated to affect 0.9% of people.

Some people have both sleep disorders.

Sleep apnea can have symptoms.

  • There are periods when you stop breathing while sleeping.
  • restless sleep with wakefulness
  • excessive sleep during the day
  • loud snoring, often with choking sounds or gasping
  • morning headaches
  • dry mouth upon waking
  • Reduced ability to focus or mood reduced

Substantial research suggests obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular death. Some research suggests the risk in people with obstructive sleep apnea is double.

Obstructive sleep apnea has been associated with many forms of cardiovascular disease, including:

Stoppages in your breathing can lead to repetitive low oxygen levels in your blood, which may result in oxidative stress and inflammation throughout your body. Over time, this stress and inflammation can contribute to the development of plaque buildup in the arteries of your heart, which can lead to a A heart attack..

Research from 2018 estimates that obstructive sleep apnea affects 34% of men and 17% of women in the general population but 40% of men and 60% of women with cardiovascular disease.

Sleep apnea may lead to the development of The disease of the coronary arteries. by contributing to calcium buildup and plaque instability in the arteries of your heart.

In a 2019 study, researchers found evidence that the presence of plaque in the arteries of the heart was significantly associated with the severity of sleep-disordered breathing in people with a low to medium risk of The disease of the coronary arteries..

The risk of developing cardiovascular disease is increased by sleep apnea.

  • stroke
  • heart failure..
  • A heart attack.

The risk of cardiovascular complications generally increases with the severity of sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea can raise the risk of other issues.

Researchers have also found clear associations between obstructive sleep apnea and:

Your doctor can help you with your treatment plan. The underlying cause of sleep apnea and your current lifestyle habits are some of the factors that your doctor will consider when making a treatment recommendation.

Your doctor could suggest something.

  • Weight management: If you have overweight or obesity, your doctor may recommend losing weight.
  • Certain lifestyle habits: Your doctor may recommend certain lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, or switching to sleeping on your side.
  • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): CPAP is often the first treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. It involves wearing a face mask that delivers air with positive pressure to keep your airways open while you sleep.
  • Bilevel airway pressure (BiPAP): BiPAP is sometimes used as an alternative to CPAP. BiPAP machines deliver air at two pressure levels in response to your breathing to help support your airways.
  • Surgery: Surgery is usually only recommended when less invasive treatments aren’t effective. Surgery involves changing the part of your body that’s causing the obstruction.

Here are some frequently asked questions people have about the connection between sleep apnea and The disease of the coronary arteries..

Can sleep apnea cause heart damage?

Frequent breathing pauses while sleeping can cause stress that promotes inflammation. This inflammation can contribute to the development of heart damage and disease.

Does sleep apnea cause plaque in arteries?

Plaque is the buildup of cholesterol, fat, and other substances inside your arteries. Research suggests that people with sleep apnea have an increased risk of plaque buildup and instability that contributes to the development of A heart attack. or stroke.

Can sleep apnea worsen cardiac problems?

Yes. Sleep apnea can worsen heart problems by disrupting your sleep and causing low oxygen levels in your tissues while you sleep. Worsening heart problems may also contribute to the worsening of your sleep apnea.

People with sleep apnea have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. People with sleep apnea have a poorer outcome with cardiovascular disease than the general population.

If you seek treatment for sleep apnea, you may be able to lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Your doctor can help you with your sleep problems. Positive airway pressure therapy and lifestyle changes may be included in your plan.