09/14/2023                                                                            
                                    
                                                                            
                                            It's Thirsty Thursday!! It's a little different coming from us health professionals. 😉
We're hoping you're all thirsty for knowledge today.  
Want to know how sleep apnea can contribute to High Blood pressure?
Well Listen Up...
1. Oxygen deprivation: During sleep apnea episodes, the airway becomes blocked or partially restricted, causing pauses in breathing and a drop in oxygen levels. This triggers the body's stress response, leading to increased blood pressure. 
2. Sympathetic nervous system activation: Sleep apnea activates the sympathetic nervous system, which controls the "fight or flight" response. This results in increased heart rate, narrowed blood vessels, and elevated blood pressure. 
3. Inflammation: Sleep apnea can cause chronic low-level inflammation in the body. Inflammation can damage blood vessels and impair the production of nitric oxide, a substance that helps relax and widen blood vessels. This contributes to increased blood pressure. 
4. Hormonal imbalances: Sleep apnea disrupts the release of various hormones involved in blood pressure regulation. For example, it increases levels of aldosterone, a hormone that promotes fluid retention and raises blood pressure. 
5. Fragmented sleep: Frequent awakenings during sleep due to sleep apnea can lead to poor sleep quality and fragmentation. Inadequate or poor-quality sleep has been linked to increased risk of hypertension. 
Overall, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure by causing oxygen deprivation, activating the sympathetic nervous system, promoting inflammation, disrupting hormone balance, and impairing sleep quality. 
Let us get you an at home sleep study to see how well you are actually resting, while you sleep. 
Give us a call today to take yours home with you at your first appointment. 
Sleep Treatment Direct
239.256.3466