High Blood Pressure and Sleep Apnea: What's the Connection?

Just ask Walter Boyle of Freehold, who had had enough of waking up exhausted. Plus his wife couldn’t stand his snoring anymore and was tired of sleeping on the couch.

“I would wake up in the morning or in the middle of the night and my arms and legs would be tingling,” says Walter. “In addition to my high blood pressure, my doctor thought I wasn’t getting enough oxygen while I was sleeping, so he sent me to Riverview for a sleep disorder test. Thanks to them, I found out my problem was sleep apnea.”

According to Michael Harper, manager of Sleep Lab Services for Riverview Medical Center, most people with sleep apnea don’t even realize they have it. “People suffering from sleep apnea have probably been accused of snoring loudly or told that they gasp for air when sleeping,” explains Michael, adding that those with this condition tend to be sleepy during the day and have trouble concentrating or even staying awake while driving.

Michael says he cannot overemphasize the importance of seeing your doctor when you suspect sleep apnea. Research now shows that sleep apnea significantly raises your risk of high blood pressure.

APNEA’S EFFECTS ON HEART HEALTH
One large study found that sleep apnea tripled some people’s risk of developing high blood pressure. Another study of more than 6,000 middle-aged and older men and women found that sleep apnea sufferers had a 45 percent greater risk of hypertension.

“People with sleep apnea may stop breathing 30 or more times every hour,” explains Neurologist Alan Pertchick, M.D. “Each breathing pause can last anywhere from 10 seconds to one minute. This causes your blood pressure to rise significantly during the night. Every time you stop breathing, your blood is robbed of needed oxygen,” he says.

WHO’S AT RISK?
Men are more likely than women to have sleep apnea. The disorder also is more common in people age 40 and older. Other risk factors include excess weight, alcohol consumption, and feature such as a receding chin or thick neck.

Mild sleep apnea may respond to self-care strategies. Try the following measures:

• Avoid alcohol — and never take sedatives or sleeping pills. These can keep you from waking up enough to breathe.
• Lose some weight, if you need to.
• Try not to sleep on your back. It can help to sew a tennis ball into the back of your sleepwear. This can keep you from rolling onto your back while sleeping.

DIAGNOSIS AND HELP IS NEARBY
In addition to its hospital based sleep lab, Riverview Medical Center recently opened a new Snoring and Sleep Disorder Center on Route 35 in Holmdel. It is staffed by physicians specializing in neurology, pulmonary medicine, psychiatry, and otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat), and equipped with the latest in advanced medical technology.

“The process of a sleep test is painless,” explains Michael. “All you have to do is sleep while sensors record your sleep patterns, leg movements, blood oxygen levels, heart rhythm, breathing, and snoring.”

“It was so nice to know there was a reason for me not sleeping well,” says Walter. “My first test was three years ago and since then I feel much better and I wake up with more energy. And thanks to the Sleep Center, my wife can now sleep in the same room with me.”

So remember: If you are constantly having trouble getting a restful night’s sleep, or have an uncontrollable desire to sleep during the day, you may have a sleep apnea. Speak to your doctor first. If he recommends a sleep test, call 732-450-2945 or 1-800-560-9990.