Sleep Apnea Increases Risk of Heart Attack or Death

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- If you have sleep apnea, getting it treated could save your life.

A new study from Yale University finds the condition increases the risk of having a heart attack or dying by 30 percent over a period of four to five years.

1,123 patients referred for sleep apnea evaluation had an overnight sleep study to determine if they had the condition. Over the next four to five years they were monitored to see how many of them had any heart disease events -- heart attack, coronary angiography, or bypass surgery -- or died. Results show the more severe the sleep apnea was at the beginning of the study the greater the risk of developing heart disease or dying.

The authors recommend patients with sleep apnea symptoms -- excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring along with breathing pauses -- see a doctor. They believe when sleep apnea is appropriately treated, the risk of heart disease can be lowered.

Sleep apnea causes the upper airway to narrow or collapse during sleep. The most effective treatment is the nasal CPAP. It delivers air through a mask while you sleep, keeping the airway open. It can help patients get a good night's sleep, prevent daytime accidents due to sleepiness, and improve quality of life.

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SOURCE: The American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference in San Francisco, May 18-23, 2007