The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF)–irregular heartbeat–affects about 3 million Americans, and that number is expected to increase to about 12 million by 2050--and that doesn’t include people who don't know they have AF. Most people older than 40 are at increased risk of developing AF, and the risk increases with age.
AF can lead to a number of health problems, especially a higher risk of stroke. In fact, people with this condition are five times more likely to have a stroke. The first form of treatment many people think of is prescription medication.
There are several anticoagulant medications available that are designed to decrease the risk of stroke in people with AF, including warfarin (Jantoven, Coumadin), Pradaxa, Xarelto and Eliquis. However, these drugs have been linked to a long list of complications–most notably uncontrolled bleeding that can be fatal.
Instead of taking a drug that may come with a host of serious side effects, why not try to tackle other medical conditions that can cause AF? While conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity and heart conditions are known to contribute to the cause of irregular heartbeat, not many people know that there is a strong connection between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and atrial fibrillation.
Obstructive sleep apnea affects 18 million Americans. It is a condition where airways become blocked or narrowed during sleep, causing heavy snoring, daytime sleepiness and headaches, and it doubles the risk for atrial fibrillation.
Clinical Studies on Sleep Apnea and Atrial Fibrillation
Scientists have found compelling evidence that links sleep apnea to AF. Studies revealed that sleep apnea is a greater risk factor for AF than other traditional risk factors. About half of the people diagnosed with sleep apnea also have AF.
The exact way that OSA causes atrial fibrillation is not yet known, though doctors theorize that nightly lack of oxygen because of breathing difficulties, a high level of carbon dioxide in the blood and surges in blood pressure may cause or predispose someone to AF. The biggest risk factors for OSA and AF are obesity and hypertension. Fortunately, there are ways to treat OSA and lessen the effects of AF.
Treating Sleep Apnea
One of the easiest ways to treat sleep apnea is by using a breathing machine called a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). These machines use mild air pressure to keep airways normally obstructed by sleep apnea open. In medical studies, treating early diagnosed sleep apnea with CPAP also treats AF. So, this means that concerned patients should mention any possible OSA to their doctors, since doctors may not ask their atrial fibrillation patients about sleep apnea.
Lifestyle changes are usually the best bet for treating mild sleep apnea. These include:
- · Avoid alcohol and medicines that cause drowsiness. These make it more difficult for the airways to stay open during sleep.
- · If you are overweight or obese, try to lose weight–even just a little weight loss improves symptoms.
- · Sleep on your side instead of your back.
- · If you smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting.
You can also ask your dentist about custom mouth pieces that you can wear while you sleep. These can help adjust your jaw, or keep your tongue from blocking the airway. For more severe cases of sleep apnea, surgery may be recommended.
So, before you decide to go the prescription route for AF, make sure you do your homework and talk to your doctor about risk factors you can control. If you are at risk for AF, some simple lifestyle changes may lower your chances of developing an irregular heartbeat.
Michelle Y. Llamas is a content writer for Drugwatch. She educates the public about dangerous drugs and medical devices. Michelle has been published in peer-reviewed medical journals and on various websites.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2010). Atrial fibrillation fact sheet. Retrieved from http://www.stoptheclot.org/Afib/CDC%20reference%20document%20fs_atrial_fibrillation.pdf
National Stroke Association. (2013). Controllable risk factors – atrial fibrillation,http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=afib
Gami, A. S., Pressman, G. Caples, S. M., Kanagala, R., Gard, J. J., Davison, D. E., ….& Somers, V. K. (2004). Association of atrial fibrillation and obstructive sleep apnea. Circulation. 110: 364-367. Retrieved from http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/110/4/364.long
Medical News Today. (2013). What are the causes of atrial fibrillation? Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/atrial-fibrillation/causes-of-atrial-fibrillation.php
Gordon, S. (2012, May 29). Feeling lackadaisical? Sleep apnea may be to blame. HealthDay. Retrieved from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/05/29/feeling-lackadaisical-sleep-apnea-may-be-to-blame
National Institutes of Health. (2012, July 10). How is sleep apnea treated? Retrieved from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sleepapnea/treatment.html
