How treatment of sleep apnea can improve your Hypertension

Hypertension or High Blood Pressure has become a commonly prevalent lifestyle disorder. Conventionally this disorder was linked with poor physical health, metabolic disorders, heart conditions and anxiety-prone lifestyle. But, when you find an young adult diagnosed with hypertension, it is hard to believe that there are no other hidden factors contributing to this debilitating condition. Health experts across the globe have been trying to identify the underlying causes behind hypertension so that they can develop more effective medications and corrective treatments.

Sleep Apnea – the hidden culprit

The Joint National Committee on High Blood Pressure (JNC-VII) has also listed Sleep Apnea as a significant cause behind secondary hypertension. Recent studies have revealed that it is directly linked with the development of hypertension and worsening of Sleep Apnea can worsen the blood pressure of a patient. It causes oxygen deficiency in body at the time of sleeping, causing the blood oxygen levels to dip and activation of several hormonal and Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Responses. A population based study in Canada also established that with a 10% fall in nighttime oxygen level, the risk of hypertension can increase by about 13%.

But how exactly does Sleep Apnea affect hypertension? A person suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) experiences a collapse in the upper airway due to a host of reasons, such as –

• Sleep induced loss of muscle tone
• Fat deposition around the air passage
• Abnormalities in facial tissue
• Soft palate or tongue

This collapse in the airway causes an obstruction in the airflow during sleep, which in turn disrupts sleep. Sleep Apnea patients often experience worsening of already existing hypertension problem or development of hypertension symptoms due to lowering of oxygen levels in blood. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures surge at night, if a Sleep Apnea patient fails to get diagnosed and remain untreated. However, the severity of the situation doesn’t mean that this medical condition is untreatable.

How Sleep Apnea Treatment can improve Hypertension

As researchers have successfully determined Sleep Apnea as a cause of secondary hypertension, studies have also revealed that sleep apnea treatment can also improve hypertension condition. CPAP or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is a gold standard treatment for Sleep Apnea. The CPAP works by maintaining a constant airflow during sleep and prevents the upper airway from collapsing. As the patient continues to breathe normally, the sleep remains undisrupted and autonomic nervous system as well as hormonal (renin angiotensin) responses which could increase blood pressure are prevented. Thus a person using CPAP for minimum 4 hours to treat Sleep Apnea, also experiences-

• Reduction in 24 hour mean diastolic blood pressure after 12 weeks of continued CPAP therapy
• Improved blood pressure pattern at night
• Further lowering of high blood pressure, even if the blood pressure was believed to be controlled by hypertensive medication
• Reduced risk of death from cardio and circulatory disorders, caused by hypertension

Nasal CPAP therapy is in-fact more beneficial than supplemental oxygen which is taken by Sleep Apnea patients, and is more effective in lowering blood pressure. Therefore, if you are struggling to manage your hypertension symptoms, visit your nearest Sleep Physician or Sleep Clinic Immediately. A professional sleep study may reveal if you are suffering from Sleep Apnea or not and how it is aggravating your hypertension symptoms. Not only will you sleep better with CPAP treatment, but you will experience a dramatic improvement in your blood pressure and quality of life.

Sleep Solutions is a trustworthy source of news, information and treatment tips for Sleep Apnea and related health conditions.