Sleep Apnea Is Hard on Your Heart: Here's How to Safeguard Your Health 

You might think of sleep apnea as a condition that just causes loud snoring. And while it’s true that snoring is a common symptom, focusing only on that makes sleep apnea seem harmless. The truth is, sleep apnea can affect nearly every aspect of your health — especially your heart.

At Northwest Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine in Algonquin, Illinois, we want to help you understand the connection between sleep apnea and heart disease. To honor American Heart Month, let’s explore how sleep apnea affects your heart and what you can do to protect it.

Sleep apnea: More than just snoring

Sleep apnea affects how you breathe during sleep; you can experience hundreds of breathing pauses throughout the night. These pauses cause loud snoring and deplete your body of vital oxygen. Each time you stop breathing, your oxygen levels plummet. 

In response to these sudden drops, your body produces adrenaline, which may eventually increase your blood pressure. This repeated pressure damages and weakens your blood vessels over time. It can even increase your cholesterol levels. 

These consequences of sleep apnea ultimately strain your heart, dramatically increasing your risk of heart attack. 

Treat sleep apnea to protect your heart

Sleep apnea creates a chain reaction in your body that can severely impact your heart. Treating it through lifestyle changes and professional therapies can lower your risk of serious complications and improve symptoms like snoring. 

Here are some of our top tips:

Invest in a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device

CPAP therapy delivers a steady stream of air through a mask, keeping your airway open to prevent dangerous oxygen drops during sleep. That reduces the strain on your heart. 

Try Inspire® sleep therapy

This small device is implanted under your skin to stimulate the nerve that keeps your airway open. You control it with a hand-held remote, activating it before bed. 

Get moving

Physical activity strengthens your heart and helps manage sleep apnea. Even moderate exercise, like brisk walking or yoga, can reduce symptoms over time. Try to stay active most days of the week, and choose activities you enjoy so they become part of your routine.

Switch up your diet

Eating more vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains supports weight management and reduces inflammation. Cut back on processed foods and salt to help control blood pressure, easing the workload on your heart.

Quit smoking

If you smoke, now is the time to stop. Smoking damages blood vessels, increases inflammation, and worsens sleep apnea and heart health. Quitting can feel daunting, but our team can connect you with resources and support to make it achievable.

Stay connected with your care team

Managing sleep apnea is an ongoing process. Regular follow-ups help track your progress, monitor your heart health, and adjust treatments as needed. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns between appointments.

Get help for sleep apnea in Algonquin, Illinois

Protecting your heart doesn’t have to be difficult. If you have sleep apnea, our expert team at Northwest Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine is here to provide personalized care and solutions. 

Call our office at 815-584-0976 or schedule an appointment online to take control of your sleep apnea.