|
HomeTopicsHeart DiseaseSleep Disorders And Heart Disease
Sleep Disorders and Heart DiseaseIf you've been experiencing sleep disorders, your body might be suffering from more than just a poor night's sleep. Research suggests that heart disease can be linked to several sleep disorders, including restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea.
Keep reading to learn more about the connections between heart disease and sleep disorders.
Heart Disease & Restless Leg Syndrome
Recent research suggests a connection between restless leg syndrome (RLS) and heart disease. RLS is a neurological movement disorder that is characterized by unusual, uncomfortable sensations deep within the calves and/or thighs. To alleviate the discomfort, people suffering from RLS often move their legs.
In addition to being a neurological disorder, RLS is also considered to be a sleep disorder, as patients generally experience the worst symptoms when they lie down to sleep. This can make it difficult from RLS sufferers to get a good night's rest. In a study conducted by the University of Montreal, periodic leg movement during sleep caused an increase in blood pressure. In fact, researchers found sleep-related periodic leg movement caused systolic blood pressure readings to rise by an average of 22 points and diastolic blood pressure to rise by an average of 11 points. Researchers concluded that, over time, the increase in pressure could lead to heart and blood vessel damage. Blood pressure increases were greatest among older RLS patients.
Tips for Alleviating Restless Leg SyndromeIf you are experiencing RLS, consult your doctor. In order to determine the cause of your RLS, she will check for underlying health conditions. For example, RLS can be caused by an iron deficiency. Obesity and kidney failure can also contribute to RLS. Of course, your RLS could be caused by something as simple as your caffeine consumption.
To reduce the symptoms of RLS, try the following:
Heart Disease & Sleep ApneaStudies have also shown a link between sleep apnea and cardiovascular problems and have revealed that people who suffer from sleep apnea are at a higher risk of developing heart disease. In fact, one study showed that obstructive sleep apnea increases a person's risk of having a heart attack or dying by 30 percent over a period of four to five years.
In a person suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, the upper airway narrows or even collapses during sleep. This causes the person's breathing to be interrupted, which can deprive the body and the heart of much-needed oxygen. Sleep apnea can cause the person to partially rouse, sometimes disturbing sleep hundreds of times a night. In addition to decreasing the body's oxygen intake, sleep apnea causes a person's body to enter "fight or flight" mode, which decreases the amount of blood that is pumped to the heart.
Tips for Treating Sleep ApneaIf you suffer from sleep apnea, there are some steps you can take to reduce your symptoms, including:
Resources Boyles, Salynn (2007). Restless Leg Syndrome, Heart Risk Tied. Retrieved June 14, 2007, from WebMD Web site: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20070409/restless_legs_syndrome_heart_risk
_tied.
Martin, Suzy. Sleep Apnea Increases Risk of Heart Attak Or Death By 30 Percent. Retrieved June 14, 2007, from Medical News Today Web site: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=71575. Querna, Betsy (2005). Sleep apnea treatment does double duty. Retrieved June 14, 2007, from U.S. News & World Report Web site: http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/briefs/heart/hb050615a
.htm.
Shiel, William C. (2006). Restless Leg Syndrome. Retrieved June 14, 2007, from MedicineNet Web site: http://www.medicinenet.com/restless_leg_syndrome/article.htm.
|
|
