36 million American adults with high blood pressure but do not have it under control and most cases might be due to severe sleep apnea or failure to respond to the drug treatment which is resistant hypertension, and about 80% of people who do not respond to the high blood pressure medications have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A 2013 study published in the Journal Sleep involving 78 people with sleep apnea being treated for high blood pressure with three or more drugs showed that the risk for resistant hypertension is related to the severity of OSA. Amongst them, 65% with severe sleep apnea had resistant hypertension as compared to 33% with moderate OSA had resistant hypertension. The findings suggest that severe OSA contributes to poor blood pressure control despite medication use.
Severe sleep apnea patients stop breathing up to hundreds of times in one night which puts a large amount of stress on the heart but treating OSA can help to lower blood pressure. The standard treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP therapy, similarly treating resistant hypertension with CPAP therapy can have a positive impact on one’s overall health and good quality sleep is good for the heart.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of sleep apnea such as snoring, daytime sleepiness, irritability, and low energy, 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 OSA 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 and CPAP supplies for a better quality of sleep and healthier overall well-being.
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