Sleep apnea is more than just a dormant nuisance. It’s a serious condition that’s linked to various health problems, including cardiovascular diseases. At Kelley Mingus, we believe in the importance of educating our patients about why and how sleep apnea and cardiovascular health are connected. Let’s explore this link in more depth.
The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Health
When you have sleep apnea, it means your body is not receiving enough oxygen due to intermittent breathing disruptions during sleep. As a response, your body triggers a fight-or-flight response. This reaction has several effects, like elevated blood pressure and increased heart rate, which can strain your cardiovascular system.
Impact of Sleep Apnea on the Heart
Here’s a comprehensive look at what happens when sleep apnea starts affecting your cardiovascular health:
- High Blood Pressure: With sleep apnea, intermittent airflow can lead to low oxygen levels throughout the night. This causes your body to react by increasing your blood pressure to ensure more oxygen reaches your organs. Over time, this condition can result in chronic hypertension.
- Heart Disease: People with sleep apnea are more likely to have a heart attack. When your brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen, it sends signals for more blood to be pumped — increasing the strain on your heart.
- Stroke and Atrial Fibrillation: Longer periods of oxygen deprivation can cause irregular heart rhythms, increasing the risk of a stroke or atrial fibrillation. Sleep apnea disrupts the normal functions of the heart and blood vessels, exacerbating existing heart conditions.
Treatment of Sleep Apnea at Kelley Mingus
We understand the gravity of sleep apnea’s link with cardiovascular health. As such, Dr. Kelley Mingus, a dedicated professional in dentistry, runs a comprehensive sleep apnea program aimed at providing personalized treatments to our patients.
Facial Growth Treatment
At Kelley Mingus, our transformative Facial Growth treatment targets the root cause of sleep apnea — the mind, the throat, and the lack of proper facial development. It works by encouraging natural jaw growth and development of the airway.
Oral Appliances
Apart from Facial Growth treatment, we also utilize oral appliances designed to reposition the jaw during sleep. They hold the jaw in a position that allows the tongue to comfortably rest outside of the airway. This, in turn, keeps the path clear and allows proper airflow.
At Kelley Mingus, we focus on offering the right treatment that suits your specific needs. Sleep apnea can’t be ignored as it’s linked to serious health issues like cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. We encourage all our patients to get tested if they are experiencing symptoms. Remember, managing sleep apnea effectively can protect your cardiovascular health and increase the quality and quantity of your life.