There are several types of sleep apnea including obstructive, central and mixed subtypes. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) accounts for 90% of cases, and implies complete or partial collapse of the upper airway, while central sleep apnea is not associated with upper airway obstruction at all. Regardless of the type of sleep apnea, the patient experiences repeated bouts of apnea or cessation of breathing, associated with fragmented sleep, and repeated episodes of reduced oxygen level and elevated carbon dioxide. Over time, sleep apnea damages the cardiovascular system and, especially if severe, it may precipitate a stroke, heart attack, or sudden death in the setting of a compromised cardiovascular system.
No need to panic, but let's take a closer look at what you just learned:
- 90% of sleep apnea sufferers are totally unaware of it and fail to seek help. Up to 4% of males and 2% of females have sleep apnea. A third of people suffer from at least mild obstructive sleep apnea.
- Most physicians not trained in the field of sleep medicine are not aware of the health-related risks of untreated sleep apnea. 20% of myocardial infarctions (MIs) and 15% of sudden death occur during the period of midnight to 6:00 am. This translates to about 300,000 nocturnal (MIs), and 48,750 nocturnal sudden deaths in the United States each year.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is associated not only with increased myocardial infarctions, but also with increased risk of strokes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, increased risk of cancers, increased risk of all cause-mortality, diminished immune function, and Alzheimer disease.