Bradycardia is often associated with sleep apnea as shown in research studies and medical diagnoses more often in infants with a slow heart rate which can also apply to people of all ages. The American Heart Association (AHA) defines bradycardia as a heart rate of fewer than 60 beats per
minute but depending on the age and physical condition one is in especially adults who are physically active have a resting heart rate slower than 60BPM and does not cause any problem, as well as when one is in deep sleep the heart rate falls below 60BPM.
OSA is a potential cause of bradycardia due to its interruption of the body’s sleep patterns coupled with a slow heart rate where one is not getting enough oxygen and failure to get enough oxygen is a symptom of sleep apnea that causes one to continually wake up throughout the night due to obstructed breathing. Moreover, bradycardia is a condition that affects the heart and sleep apnea has an association with heart conditions as shown in multiple studies and a 2007 study in the European Respiratory Journal that concluded it is significant to support the association between OSA and cardiovascular disease.
So what is the connection between sleep apnea and bradycardia in infants? Apnea of infancy is a specific type of sleep apnea common among babies, the American Academy of Pediatrics defines it as an unexplained episode of cessation of breathing for 20 seconds or longer, or a short respiratory pause associated with bradycardia, cyanosis, pallor, or marked hypotonia. Essentially infants with bradycardia have the same reason why they have sleep apnea, and often bradycardia results from the baby suffering from apnea though other medical problems can be the cause instead and hence the episodes of apnea needs to be evaluated. The other possible causes of sleep apnea and bradycardia in infants include infection which is a common cause and often looked for if a baby develops apnea, low blood oxygen which means a low heart rate and bradycardia can cause oxygen deprivation, airway problems such as blockages in the nose of breathing airway that may be caused by mucous, environmental factors such as high or low body temperature or excessive handling of a premature infant, and premature birth or apnea of prematurity. The treatment for infants with sleep apnea and bradycardia depends on what is the specific cause for example if the cause is an infection, a different treatment will be administered instead of managing the breathing blockage.
If you suspect that you might be at risk or have sleep apnea, it is important to consult a doctor to confirm the diagnosis early and the underlying issue of the cause of sleep apnea. Depending on your financial situation and sleep apnea condition, the doctor will work through with you the type of sleep apnea test in the comfort of your home or an in-lab sleep test to determine the precise nature of your condition to avoid any long-term issues. Besides most insurance companies now pay for sleep testing and CPAP treatment, early intervention with a sleep apnea device can stop snoring or one can a sleep apnea CPAP trial from the equipment supplier or distributor that distributes a range of sleep apnea machine for a better quality of sleep and healthier overall well-being.
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