Lack of Sleep Linked to Male Heart Disease

By Brandie Umar - Executive Director of Content | July 14th, 2010

A link between lack of sleep caused by sleep apnea and heart disease has been identified in a study which monitored 4,500 patients.

The study group had no signs of heart disease prior to the study. In the course of 8 years, 58% of the male subjects who were diagnosed with sleep apnea developed heart disease.

70% of people diagnosed with sleep apnea - a condition where breathing stops or is disrupted during sleep - are obese. Obesity is a known cause for heart disease conditions.

Sleep apnea is an under-diagnosed condition. 75% of people suffering from the condition do not realise their health is at risk when they sleep. Sleep apnea is caused by the throat and airways closing as people are lying down asleep. This causes a lack of oxygen in the body forcing the heart to send excess blood sugar into the blood stream as panic attack symptoms occur. The added night-time pressure sleep apnea places on the heart can lead to a weakened heart, diabetes and eventual heart disease.

Warning signs for sleep apnea include excess snoring and waking feeling unusually tired over a period of time. Anyone who feels sleep is being interupted should visit a doctor as sleep apnea and other

sleep disorders are treatable conditions which if diagnosed and treated can prevent many healthy complications.

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