Obstructive Sleep Apnea & Irregular Heart Rhythm (Atrial Fibrillation)

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious sleep disorder that can disturb your sleep, affect your health, and even shorten your life. Likewise, atrial fibrillation (AF) – irregular heartbeat – is a dangerous health condition that can cause emergency medical attention and serious complications. The combination of these two disorders is very serious, and physicians have found that their occurrence together is more common than previously thought.

The Facts: Sleep Apnea & Atrial Fibrillation

A 2012 study found that a shocking 32 to 49 percent of those with atrial fibrillation also suffer from OSA. In fact, many scientists believe this number may be even higher since sleep apnea is still under-diagnosed. Several other experiences cited in the study found that the severity of sleep apnea increases the risk of AF. Finally, a 2013 study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that the effective treatment of obstructive sleep apnea may reduce the risk of recurring atrial fibrillation in patients after catheter ablation. In fact, a significant number of patients who were treated successfully for their OSA symptoms no longer needed to take medication for the AF.

The Connection Between Atrial Fibrillation and Sleep Apnea

Although it seems clear that the two conditions often go hand in hand, the medical world is still figuring out exactly how sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation affect each other. However, many researchers believe that the long pauses in breathing – and the gasps of air – indicative of sleep apnea cause surges in blood pressure and can affect the functioning of the heart. This cause-and-effect makes sense considering the finding that treating OSA can help prevent the continued occurrence of AF.

Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial Fibrillation occurs when the chambers of the heart do not beat in sync with one another, often causing an irregularly rapid pulse. This serious condition may happen in episodes or may be an ongoing issue. Complications may include poor blood flow throughout the body, blood clots, heart failure, and stroke. The symptoms of atrial fibrillation include:

• Rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations.
• Chest pain.
• Light-headedness.
• Dizziness.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Shortness of breath.
• Confusion.

Surgical Sleep Solutions for Sleep Apnea

At Surgical Sleep Solutions, we know all too well that suffering from sleep apnea often also means suffering from a number of other related health issues. To learn more about our unique approach to sleep apnea surgery and whether you may be a good candidate for the procedure, please contact us today at 855-560-7378 or fill out our self evaluation below to see if you are at high or low risk of suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. [gravityform id="11" title="true" description="true"]