“Sleep apnea can be silent and is associated with an increased risk of developing or worsening brain and cardiovascular diseases.” This was the warning shared by the Direção-Geral da Saúde (DGS) on Sunday, November 2, on social media, alongside explanations and recommendations regarding this condition.
Emphasizing that “there are symptoms you should be aware of,” the DGS outlined “the relationship between sleep apnea and brain and cardiovascular diseases: “Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by pauses of 10 to 20 seconds in breathing during sleep, more than 30 times per hour. It can lead to daytime sleepiness, chronic fatigue, and memory problems.”
So, what are the warning signs to look out for? There are four ‘key’ indicators: “Loud snoring and pauses in breathing,” “waking up gasping for air,” “excessive daytime sleepiness,” and “morning headaches.”
How does sleep apnea affect the heart? And how can it be prevented?
In the same post, the Direção-Geral da Saúde noted that sleep apnea “is associated with an increased risk of developing or worsening brain and cardiovascular diseases”.
Examples include:
- “High blood pressure;
- Cardiac arrhythmias (Atrial Fibrillation is the most common);
- Coronary disease;
- Heart failure;
- Stroke (CVA).”
Regarding prevention, the DGS outlined four ‘measures’ to take:
- “Maintain a healthy weight;
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco;
- Sleep on your side (facilitates breathing);
- Medical consultation for diagnosis (with a sleep study).
