Women with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Are at a Greater Heart Health Risk

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common threat for middle- to older-age men and women alike — but for women, having this condition can mean being at a greater risk of suffering heart health problems compared to their male counterparts. Keep reading to find out more about why and where you can find treatment for obstructive sleep apnea in Powell.

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition that is associated with loud, chronic snoring and fatigue. The condition causes periodic pauses in breath during sleep as tissues in the throat close and thereby block the proper flow of air throughout the body. The brain, desperate for oxygen, sends an emergency signal to wake the body up — and thus a sleep-wake cycle continues throughout the night. OSA sufferers may have their sleep interrupted hundreds of times each night.

The Link between OSA and Heart Health

Getting plenty of sleep is vital to your overall health, but patients who have OSA lack sufficient time in the crucial deep slumber phase to reap the benefits of sleep. Recent research shows that this sleep deficit may take the greatest toll on the heart — especially for women. The heart uses nightly rest as an opportunity to de-stress, repair itself, and prepare for the next day. Without this opportunity, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease are all more likely. Furthermore, the same study also found that women may be more likely to suffer from undiagnosed OSA, which can cause the condition to have a greater impact as it goes untreated for longer.

Finding Treatment for OSA

Getting treatment for OSA will help protect you from health risks and keep your heart healthy as you age. As an expert in all things related to your mouth and the surrounding structures, your dentist is a qualified professional to turn to for sleep apnea treatment.

The approach that is right for you will depend on what is causing the obstruction and snoring — for some patients, losing weight can help a great deal. Oral appliance therapy, which uses a customized oral appliance worn during sleep, is growing as an effective treatment as well.  For patients with more severe sleep apnea, a sleep mask and CPAP machine may be required.

Whatever treatment is right for you, the important thing is finding a solution for OSA as soon as you recognize an issue. Your overall health depends on it!

About the Author

Dr. Shelley Shults, a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, offers quality solutions for men and women suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, indicated by snoring in Powell. If you are concerned that you or a loved one are dealing with this exhausting condition, do not hesitate to get in touch with Powell Dental Sleep Solutions by calling 614-681-8593 today.