Can Sleep Apnea Cause High Blood Pressure? Understanding the Link

Do you often snore loudly, wake up tired, or deal with high blood pressure that does not improve? You may be surprised to know that these problems can be connected. Sleep apnea, a common yet overlooked sleep disorder, can be the culprit that does more than interrupting your sleep. But how can sleep apnea cause high blood pressure? Let's explore the blog and learn about the potential connection.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which your breathing frequently stops and starts while you are asleep.

There are three main types of Sleep apnea:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – the most common form, affecting around 30 million people in the U.S.
• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) – related to the brain’s failure to signal muscles to breathe.
• Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome – a combination of OSA and CSA.

In OSA, the upper airways of the respiratory tract are constricted or blocked, preventing the airflow from reaching the lungs during sleep. This pauses breathing, decreases oxygen levels, and leads to disrupted sleep. 

Can Sleep Apnea Cause High Blood Pressure?

Yes, especially obstructive sleep apnea. Studies show that people with OSA have a 50% higher risk of developinghigh blood pressure.

Research says that individuals with moderate or severe OSA have a 2 times higher chance of developing resistant high blood pressure (hypertension). 

Why Does This Happen?

When the upper airway collapses during sleep:

• The oxygen levels in the blood decrease and levels of carbon dioxide raises.

• In response to this, the heart works harder to pump up more blood to deliver it to the vital body organs, which causes a spike in blood pressure levels, particularly at night.

• Frequent sleep deprivation can cause hormonal imbalance and other cardiovascular issues. Cardiovascular risks of sleep apnea include stroke, heart attack, and heart failure.

• In addition, it can trigger inflammation and overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, which also contributes to high blood pressure.

How Sleep Apnea Affects Blood Pressure: A Closer Look

Sleep apnea raises blood pressure through a chain of stress responses:

• Stops breathing frequently during sleep, which lowers the oxygen levels.

• In this response, the brain cells send signals that quickly wake you up to reopen the airway.

• The repeated awakening during sleep causes a spike in stress hormones like adrenaline, which tightens the blood vessels, increasing blood pressure and heart rate.

• Over time, the frequent activation of the stress response of the body can continuously lead to high blood pressure, even at the time of waking hours.

• Persistent high blood pressure can put strain on the cardiovascular system, leading to more heart-related issues.

Health Complications Associated with Sleep Apnea & High Blood Pressure

Both conditions can lead to several health issues:

Health Complications of Sleep Apnea:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat)
• Coronary artery disease
• Impaired cognitive function
• Daytime sleepiness
• Increased risk of certain cancers

Health Complications of High Blood Pressure:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Kidney damage
• Vision loss
• Vascular Dementia
• Heart attack,
• Heart failure
• Peripheral Artery Disease

Early diagnosis and management of both conditions are critical.

Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Recognizing OSA symptoms early can help prevent long-term health issues like high blood pressure.

Common symptoms include:

• Loud snoring
• Breathing pauses during sleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Gasping or choking while sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating
• Problems with decision-making and memory 
• Morning headaches
• Sore throat or dry mouth
• Mood changes

Note: Many symptoms occur during sleep, so ask your partner to watch for signs like snoring or choking. Report these to a doctor promptly.

Treatment for OSA: What Can Help

The treatment options for OSA include:

1. CPAP Therapy (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

• This is the common and most effective treatment, which uses CPAP machines that continuously deliver a stream of air through a mask that you need to wear while sleeping.

• This keeps the upper airway open, preventing airway blockages & breathing pauses and enhancing the flow of oxygen to the organs, which lowers the chances of high blood pressure.

• The consistent airflow helps with healthy breathing patterns, which improves sleep quality, reduces daytime sleepiness, lowers the risk of cardiovascular issues, and enhances mood and cognitive function.

2. Dental Devices

• The healthcare providers can also provide dental appliances such as Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) or Tongue-Stabilizing Devices (TSDs) to use at night.

• MAD helps reposition the lower jaw forward, and TSD holds your tongue forward, which prevents the jaw and tongue from collapsing into the airway and blocking it.

• This aids in keeping the airway open and easing breathing at night.

3. Surgery

When the above treatments do not show any effects, the following surgeries are recommended:

• Soft Tissue Removal: Involves removal of excess tissue from the throat's back to broaden the airway.

• Jaw Repositioning: This moves the lower and upper jaw forward, opening the airway that is present behind the soft palate and throat.

• Nasal Surgery: If nasal blockage is due to a deviated septum, polyps, and other structural problems, nasal surgery helps remove blockages & drain mucus to improve airflow.

• Tracheostomy: This treatment is advised in severe cases where surgeons create an opening in the windpipe permanently, which provides a direct pathway for air to escape.

4. Medications for High Blood Pressure

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
• Calcium channel blockers
• beta-blockers
• diuretics

Lifestyle Changes to Manage Sleep Apnea & High Blood Pressure

Adopt these lifestyle factors in your daily routine and manage both conditions:

• Sleep on your side instead of your back, as it helps keep the airway open and regulate blood pressure.

• Maintain a healthy weight to get rid of extra tissue in the throat and neck, which blocks the airway, and to lower the workload on the heart that manages blood pressure.

• Practice exercise regularly to improve cardiovascular health, which alleviates the severity and frequency of apnea events and maintains blood pressure.

• Avoid or limit alcohol intake at night as it reduces airway blockages and supports quality sleep, which helps manage both conditions.

• Practice healthy sleep hygiene like maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine to improve the sleep quality and duration, which, consequently, reduces the sleep apnea episodes and their impact on blood pressure.

Also, consider these proactive tips to manage and prevent high blood pressure: 

• Get your blood pressure checked at least once a year
• Consume a well-balanced diet with no excessive salt
• Drink a lot of water
• Quit smoking and tobacco products
• Manage stress
• Avoid too much weight gain
• Address underlying medical conditions, like diabetes

Along with effective treatment, these lifestyle changes may help improve the symptoms associated with sleep apnea and high blood pressure. 

When to See a Doctor?

If you are dealing with high blood pressure and suspect sleep apnea as the culprit, consult a doctor. Seek medical attention if you experience these symptoms:

• Daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty with memory & attention
• Morning headaches
• Dry mouth when you wake up
• Irritability, depression, or anxiety

Some of the symptoms can't be identified by the affected person. So, ask for help from your bed partner to notice these symptoms:

• Loud snoring
• Choking during sleep
• Pauses in breathing while sleeping

Report these symptoms to your provider, who can come up with a proper diagnosis and treatment. Early diagnosis can protect your heart and improve sleep quality.

Final Thoughts

The question “Can sleep apnea cause high blood pressure?” is not just valid — it's critical to understanding your overall health. Since the heart and lungs work closely together, sleep apnea can absolutely trigger or worsen hypertension. Hence, it is crucial to understand the possible risks and consider a healthy lifestyle to lower the complications. Getting the right treatment — whether it’s CPAP therapy, lifestyle changes, or managing high blood pressure with medications — can improve your sleep, protect your heart, and enhance your quality of life.

FAQs

Is high blood pressure from sleep apnea reversible?

Yes, it's reversible with CPAP therapy, which helps alleviate airway blockages and boost the oxygen flow to vital body organs, reducing blood pressure.

How much does sleep apnea affect high blood pressure?

It can significantly affect blood pressure if left untreated, and makes the existing increased blood pressure issue more challenging to manage.

How long does it take for blood pressure to go down after CPAP?

It typically takes 2 weeks for the CPAP therapy to show results. The significant reductions in diastolic and systolic blood pressure are seen after some months of CPAP.

What is the life expectancy of someone who has sleep apnea?

The death rate of severe, untreated sleep apnea is around a 30%-50% increase over 10–15 years. It can increase due to cardiovascular complications such as stroke or heart disease.

What brings blood pressure down the fastest?

The fastest ways to reduce blood pressure levels are deep breathing exercises, lying down (for 10-15 minutes), and relaxation techniques.