Protect Your Heart by Stopping Sleep Apnea in Weatherford

Heart disease is probably one of the most well-known leading causes of death for men and women. The CDC estimates that roughly 610,000 Americans die of heart disease each year (which is almost a quarter of total deaths in the country). There are many different risk factors for this condition, but there’s one in particular you might not even be aware of until it’s too late: sleep apnea in Weatherford.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Usually breathing is automatic while you’re asleep, but it can be interrupted either because the airway is blocked or because the brain fails to send the correct signals to the proper muscles. If this happens repeatedly, it’s a disorder called sleep apnea. When breathing is interrupted during a sleep apnea “attack”, your body will wake you up to get some oxygen; this happens quickly enough that you usually won’t remember it happening, but it can occur multiple times during the night. As a result, you won’t get the benefits of a full night’s sleep and are likely to feel exhausted and irritable the next day.

How Does Sleep Apnea Affect the Heart?

When you suddenly stop breathing, oxygen levels in the body decreases, causing your blood pressure to rise. This can put serious strain on your cardiovascular system, and the longer sleep apnea lasts without being treated, the more damage is done. The heart’s walls begin to thicken, changing its structure and making it stiffer and less flexible. As a result, you’ll be at a higher risk for heart failure, stroke, and other potentially fatal conditions.   

How Will You Know if You Have Sleep Apnea?

One of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea is loud, disruptive snoring. In most cases, a spouse or a roommate will notice this issue long before you’re even aware of it. They might also notice that you periodically stop breathing or gasp for air.

If you live on your own, sleep apnea is a lot harder to detect, but you might notice:

• You’re excessively sleepy during the daytime.
• You wake up to go to the bathroom a lot.
• You have trouble sleeping through the night.
• You wake up with a headache or a dry throat.
• You have trouble concentrating during the day.
• You suffer from shifts in your mood.

What Can You Do if You Have Sleep Apnea?

Once sleep apnea has been diagnosed, a sleep dentist can help you make a plan to treat it. In many cases, they’ll recommend an oral appliance that adjusts the jaw and keeps the airway open throughout the night. Sometimes an oral appliance is most effective when combined with a CPAP machine.

It’s important to get treatment as soon as you think you might have sleep apnea. Ignoring it only puts your heart and the rest of your body at risk. Have the diagnosis confirmed as soon as possible so you can get a good night’s sleep again!

About the Author

Dr. Deborah A. Romack graduated from the Baylor College of Dentistry in 1998. She’s had extensive education about snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, and she has the latest training and technology available for treating sleep breathing disorders. To schedule an appointment at her practice, Weatherford Dental Sleep Medicine, visit her website or call (817) 594-3806.