What Happens with Untreated Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is not just a disorder marked by snoring and restless nights. Symptoms of sleep apnea, such as snoring, breathing pauses, and daytime sleepiness, are just the tip of the iceberg. Silently, the condition can compromise the body’s oxygenation and overload the heart, increasing the risk of serious cardiovascular disease.
What is sleep apnea, and how does it affect the heart?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) occurs when the upper airways become partially or completely blocked during sleep, preventing the passage of air. Each pause can last a few seconds, causing a drop in blood oxygenation and micro-awakenings that often go unnoticed by the patient.
In practice, the body enters a debilitating cycle: breathing stops, oxygen levels drop, the brain sends warning signals, and the body awakens to resume airflow. This process can repeat dozens or hundreds of times per night, causing sleep fragmentation and cardiovascular overload. The result? Increased blood pressure, activation of stress hormones, arrhythmias, and a higher risk of diseases such as heart attack and stroke.
5 risks of untreated sleep apnea for the heart
1. High blood pressure
During sleep apnea episodes, the body releases hormones that raise blood pressure. This process, repeated every night, favors the development and/or worsening of hypertension, even in people without a genetic predisposition. Over time, the condition can progress to heart failure and stroke.
2. Cardiac arrhythmias
The drop in oxygen and frequent awakenings create an unstable environment for the heart’s electrical system. This favors the development of cardiac arrhythmias, such as:
- Atrial fibrillation: irregular and less efficient heartbeats, which increase the risk of blood clots and stroke.
- Tachycardia: an abnormal acceleration of the heartbeat, which can cause palpitations and overload the heart muscle.
Studies show that patients with untreated sleep apnea have a higher incidence of these conditions, often only identified during routine examinations.
3. Myocardial infarction
Sleep apnea contributes to inflammation, cardiovascular stress, and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques (fat in the arteries), factors that increase the risk of myocardial infarction. Most worryingly, these infarctions can be silent, going unnoticed until significant damage has occurred to the heart.
The good news is that treatment for sleep apnea prescribed by doctors, especially with the use of a sleep apnea machine (CPAP), can help reduce this risk by keeping the airways open and ensuring adequate oxygenation.
4. Heart failure
Repeated drops in oxygen levels and elevated blood pressure overload the heart, which can progressively lose its ability to pump blood efficiently. In patients already diagnosed with heart problems, the presence of apnea worsens the condition and accelerates the progression of heart failure.
5. Stroke
A stroke, also known as a brain attack, is another serious consequence of untreated sleep apnea. It occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted, causing damage to brain cells.
Studies show that people with untreated sleep apnea are more likely to suffer cerebrovascular events, reinforcing the importance of early diagnosis and adherence to treatment. Early diagnosis is essential and can be performed through polysomnography in a laboratory or home-based testing, always under medical supervision.
Sleep apnea can place serious strain on the heart and increase the risk of life-threatening complications when left untreated. Recognizing the signs early and seeking proper care can make a major difference in both sleep quality and long-term cardiovascular health. If you or a loved one has symptoms of sleep apnea, call us today to schedule a time to talk about how we can help with your sleep apnea.
Related Article: What Causes Sleep Apnea?