Aortic aneurysm may be a potential risk for individuals with sleep apnea.

Aortic aneurysm may be a potential risk for individuals with sleep apnea.

Lack of Proper Sleep Could Be a Silent Killer: Obstructive Sleep Apnea's Dangerous Impact

Restless nights due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could be much more than just a nuisance. OSA is a sleep disorder that causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, and if left untreated, it can damage your health significantly.

OSA has been associated with a heightened risk of various cardiovascular issues, such as metabolic syndrome, heart attacks, and strokes. But there's more. A recent study sheds light on another potentially life-threatening complication...

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OSA and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA)

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) occur when a major artery, the aorta, swells and can potentially rupture, causing internal bleeding. Previous research suggests AAA is more prevalent in patients with OSA.

Researchers from the University of Missouri (MU) School of Medicine and NextGen Precision Health decided to delve deeper, focusing on mouse models. They discovered that OSA's recurring periods of low oxygen levels (hypoxia) increase the likelihood of mice developing AAA.

"Chronic intermittent hypoxia alone isn't enough to cause abdominal aortic aneurysms, but for an OSA patient with additional metabolic issues like obesity, our findings indicate it may accelerate the degradation of aortic structures and promote aneurysm development," explains study author Luis Martinez-Lemus, a professor at MU.

To put it simply, the study revealed that oxygen deficiency can weaken the cardiovascular tissue in mice. In OSA, throat muscles relax and obstruct airflow, leading to intermittent hypoxia. This hypoxic state activates certain enzymes that can degrade the extracellular matrix, a structural network, weakening the aorta.

Neekun Sharma, the lead author of the study, emphasizes that people with AAA rarely experience symptoms until the aneurysm bursts. At that point, immediate surgical intervention is necessary to repair the aorta.

"Understanding the mechanisms behind the development of aneurysms can help us develop ways to monitor or slow down their progression, especially for people with OSA," Sharma says.

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OSA, MetS, and AAA: A Triple Threat to Your Health

If you think you might have OSA, act quickly and consult a doctor. They can help identify the severity of your OSA: mild, moderate, or severe.

Weight loss is a crucial step in managing mild OSA and addressing associated metabolic syndrome (MetS). Since OSA and MetS are interlinked, managing one can improve the other. Experts often suggest that OSA is an additional manifestation of MetS, alongside other factors like obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol. Moreover, research shows that each component of MetS, excluding elevated blood sugar, raises the risk of AAA.

To prevent the combined risks of OSA, MetS, and AAA:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Engage in regular physical activity
• Limit alcohol intake to one drink per day for women and two per day for men
• Avoid caffeine before bedtime
• Quit smoking
• Sleep on your side instead of your back
• Use OTC nasal sprays or breathing strips to ease nighttime breathing

For moderate to severe OSA cases, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are commonly used or an upper airway stimulation implant that keeps the upper airway open during sleep. Dentists can also be valuable allies with custom-made oral appliances to keep airways open during sleep.

The main take-home message is not to underestimate the severity of OSA symptoms, including excessive daytime sleepiness, wake-ups to gasp or choke, nighttime urination, headaches, and memory problems. Neglecting these could lead to severe consequences.

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Source:

Obstructive sleep apnea may increase risk of abdominal aortic aneurysms - EurekAlert!

Chronic intermittent hypoxia facilitates the development of angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm in male mice - Journal of Applied Physiology

Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Cleveland Clinic

1. OSA, or obstructive sleep apnea, has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular issues like metabolic syndrome, heart attacks, strokes, and now, abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).
2. A recent study has revealed that OSA's recurring periods of low oxygen levels (hypoxia) can weaken cardiovascular tissue, potentially accelerating the degradation of aortic structures and promoting aneurysm development.
3. In individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS), managing one can improve the other, and since OSA and MetS are interlinked, weight loss is a crucial step in managing mild OSA.
4. For moderate to severe OSA cases, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines or upper airway stimulation implants may be used, and dentists can provide custom-made oral appliances to keep airways open during sleep.
5. To prevent the combined risks of OSA, MetS, and AAA, maintaining a healthy weight, regular physical activity, limiting alcohol intake, avoiding caffeine before bedtime, quitting smoking, sleeping on your side instead of your back, and using OTC nasal sprays or breathing strips can be beneficial.

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