Sleep Apnea Treatment May Lower Heart Risks
Study: CPAP Can Lower Many Risk Factors for Heart Disease, Stroke
Sleep specialist Meir Kryger, MD, of the Yale University School of Medicine and the VA Connecticut Health System, tells WebMD the findings highlight the growing recognition that sleep disturbances play a significant role in chronic disease.
Kryger is a board member with the National Sleep Foundation.
“It is now clear that patients with heart disease or a metabolic disease like type 2 diabetes should be asked about their sleep habits, and they should be treated if they have sleep apnea,” he says.
Cardiologist Tara Narula, MD, of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, says sleep issues have not been a major focus in cardiology in the past. But she says this is changing.
“We are seeing more and more studies linking sleep disorders and stress to [heart disease and stroke risk],” she tells WebMD. “This study suggests that a simple, effective treatment for sleep apnea may help reverse the abnormalities that lead to heart attack and stroke.”
While CPAP may be simple and effective, Kryger acknowledges that most patients don’t like wearing a mask while they sleep.
But he adds that CPAP technology and masks have improved dramatically over the last few years. Most new machines are even able to monitor how often the treatment is used and how well it is working.
Sleep Apnea Treatment May Lower Heart Risks
Study: CPAP Can Lower Many Risk Factors for Heart Disease, Stroke
Lack of Sleep and Chronic Disease
Sleep specialist Meir Kryger, MD, of the Yale University School of Medicine and the VA Connecticut Health System, tells WebMD the findings highlight the growing recognition that sleep disturbances play a significant role in chronic disease.
Kryger is a board member with the National Sleep Foundation.
“It is now clear that patients with heart disease or a metabolic disease like type 2 diabetes should be asked about their sleep habits, and they should be treated if they have sleep apnea,” he says.
Cardiologist Tara Narula, MD, of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, says sleep issues have not been a major focus in cardiology in the past. But she says this is changing.
“We are seeing more and more studies linking sleep disorders and stress to [heart disease and stroke risk],” she tells WebMD. “This study suggests that a simple, effective treatment for sleep apnea may help reverse the abnormalities that lead to heart attack and stroke.”
While CPAP may be simple and effective, Kryger acknowledges that most patients don’t like wearing a mask while they sleep.
But he adds that CPAP technology and masks have improved dramatically over the last few years. Most new machines are even able to monitor how often the treatment is used and how well it is working.
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