It increases the risk for young people.
A recent study warns that sleep apnea poses a heightened risk to the heart health of young adults, surpassing its impact on older individuals. Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the research reveals a stronger correlation between sleep apnea and heart disease risk factors in people aged 20 to 40 compared to those over 40.
For instance, young adults affected by sleep apnea faced a 45% higher risk of developing high blood pressure, whereas older individuals experienced a 10% increase. Similarly, the risk of diabetes rose by 33% among young adults with sleep apnea, in contrast to a 12% increase in older age groups. Moreover, young adults with the sleep disorder were 25% more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, compared to a 7% increase in older individuals.
The study also found that young adults with sleep apnea were three times more likely to experience cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, heart failure, chest pain, or stroke, compared to their peers without the disorder.
Lead researcher Bhaskar Thakur, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern, emphasized the serious implications of sleep apnea beyond mere fatigue. He highlighted that the condition, characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep due to airway collapse, disrupts sleep patterns and poses significant health risks.
Obesity emerged as the most significant risk factor for sleep apnea, with rising obesity rates contributing to an increasing number of young adults affected by the disorder. Thakur underscored the importance of early intervention and screening for sleep apnea, particularly in primary care settings. He stressed the need for regular discussions about sleep quality and symptoms of sleep apnea during routine annual physical exams for all adults.
The study analyzed data from nearly 10,000 individuals aged 20 and older, gathered as part of a federal health survey. It revealed that participants exhibiting symptoms of sleep apnea, such as snoring, gasping for air during sleep, interrupted breathing, and excessive daytime fatigue, also showed higher rates of chest pain, heart attack, stroke, and other heart disease risk factors including high blood pressure, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome.
While the exact mechanism linking sleep apnea to heart disease remains unclear, the study underscores the critical need for early identification and management of sleep apnea to mitigate its significant impact on cardiovascular health.
Discussion about this post