High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a serious medical condition. Combining high blood pressure with sleep apnea is even more serious. The reason for this lies in how Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) effects you.
As you sleep, your airways become obstructed. This causes you to wake up, albeit briefly, multiple times each hour. Over time, this can effect your overall health, including the health of your blood vessels leading to an increase in blood pressure. If you already suffer from hypertension, then having sleep apnea will only make it worse, and having sleep apnea increases your risk of developing high blood pressure
Controlling both your blood pressure and your sleep apnea are necessary for your health. Treating your sleep apnea with CPAP under medical supervision may actually help you to become less dependent on medications. It’s worth bringing up with your doctor!
In addition to CPAP, consider lifestyle factors that you can control. Make sure you get in adequate exercise. This helps control your weight, which in turn can help reduce blood pressure. Next, you should take a look at your diet – what do you eat and drink?
If you are concerned about how your sleep may be affecting your blood pressure, contact a sleep specialist. She may recommend a CPAP machine as treatment. This device sends a gentle pressure of air through your airways to keep them open while you sleep. This has the added bonus of reducing hypertension caused by sleep apnea. Treat your sleep apnea, and treat your hypertension. It’s a win-win!
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