Sleep Apnea Treatment

Question by Nana to TWO: Sleep apnea and thickening of the heart?
A few years ago I thought I had heart trouble (turns out it was heat exhaustion) but was found to have thickening of my heart. My doctor said it’s usually caused by high blood pressure, but I’ve NEVER had a high reading except the end of a pregnancy. It’s usually on the low side. So now that that I know there’s a possibility of having sleep apnea (being tested again in a couple of weeks) I looked up on the internet if this could cause thickening of the heart, and it looks like it can. Anybody have any more knowledge or experience with this?

And just for anybody who doesn’t know, because I didn’t until very recently, sleep apnea doesn’t just disturb sleep but is also hard on your heart.

Best answer:

Answer by Sheon
Sleep Apnea causes PULMONARY HYPERTENSION.

Your heart has two sides with seperate functions. The right side pumps blood to the lungs to allow it to obtain oxygen. The left side pumps blood to the body to allow the body to use the oxygen.

When you have sleep apnea, you stop breathing periodically during sleep. While you are sleeping your blood’s oxygen content drops. Your body responds by increasing the amount of blood it sends to your lungs. This will cause the right side of your heart to work harder and (if it occurs long enough) become more muscular (thicker).

[This explanation is a simplification and I don't want to leave you thinking it is that simple, but it is essentially what happens.]

So you likely have pulmonary hypertension and you need an ECHOCARDIOGRAM to evaluate the size of your right heart and the pressure in your pulmonary circulation. You also need to be treated for the sleep apnea.

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