OSA & High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Research has shown that there is a strong association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and hypertension (also known as high blood pressure). As many as 70% of people with OSA may also have hypertension.
OSA & High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Research has shown that there is a strong association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)* and hypertension(also known as high blood pressure). In fact, studies have found that up to 70%of people with OSA also have hypertension**.
With sleep apnea, individuals have repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses can cause a drop in oxygen levels in the blood, which triggers the body to release stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones can cause the blood vessels to constrict and the heart to work harder, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure.
Lack of sleep and poor sleep quality due to OSA can contribute to the development of hypertension. Obesity, insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome are also risk factors for hypertension.
Fortunately, treating sleep apnea can often help to lower blood pressure. Studies have shown that Continuous PositiveAirway Pressure (CPAP) therapy can lead to a significant reduction in blood pressure in people with both OSA and hypertension (Shirahama et al., 2021). For those who want an alternative option to CPAP, oral appliance therapy is an effective option which involves a mouthguard that works by holding the jaw forward while sleeping.
If you have Obstructive Sleep Apnea, it's important to be aware of the link between OSA and hypertension, and to speak with your healthcare provider about appropriate screening and treatment options.
If you think that you or someone you know may be experiencing symptoms of OSA, visit mygemsleep.com. At GEM SLEEP, you can take our online quiz to evaluate if you may be a good candidate for a sleep study. If you’re advised to order a sleep test, you can create an account and get started right away! Upon login, you can order a home sleep test to be delivered to you within the week. After receiving your sleep study in the mail, you can take it in the comfort of your own bed! Our clinicians will review your results and we’ll contact you when your diagnosis and treatment recommendations are available. Our GEM coaches will help you with any questions you may have and help you determine the treatment that will work best for you. When you’re ready, you can order your supplies right from your GEM portal and work with your GEM coach to get comfortable and confident with the treatment option you’ve chosen. Already have a GEM Account, log-in here.
*OSA is a common sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep due to obstruction of the upper airway.
**Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently high.
References:
Shirahama, R., Tanigawa, T., Ida, Y., Fukuhisa,K., Tanaka, R., Tomooka, K., Lan, F. Y., Ikeda, A., Wada, H., & Kales, S.N. (2021). Long-term effect of continuous positive airway pressure therapy onblood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Scientific reports,11(1), 19101. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-98553-0
If you are tired or exhausted do not operate a vehicle or machinery.
The information contained in this document is for educational purposes only, Sleep Apnea can only be diagnosed via a medically approved sleep study. A sleep study must be ordered and reviewed by a professional provider trained in Sleep Medicine.
GEM Sleep is focused on treatment and support of Sleep Apnea, not other sleep conditions.
OSA & High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Research has shown that there is a strong association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)* and hypertension(also known as high blood pressure). In fact, studies have found that up to 70%of people with OSA also have hypertension**.
With sleep apnea, individuals have repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses can cause a drop in oxygen levels in the blood, which triggers the body to release stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones can cause the blood vessels to constrict and the heart to work harder, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure.
Lack of sleep and poor sleep quality due to OSA can contribute to the development of hypertension. Obesity, insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome are also risk factors for hypertension.
Fortunately, treating sleep apnea can often help to lower blood pressure. Studies have shown that Continuous PositiveAirway Pressure (CPAP) therapy can lead to a significant reduction in blood pressure in people with both OSA and hypertension (Shirahama et al., 2021). For those who want an alternative option to CPAP, oral appliance therapy is an effective option which involves a mouthguard that works by holding the jaw forward while sleeping.
If you have Obstructive Sleep Apnea, it's important to be aware of the link between OSA and hypertension, and to speak with your healthcare provider about appropriate screening and treatment options.
If you think that you or someone you know may be experiencing symptoms of OSA, visit mygemsleep.com. At GEM SLEEP, you can take our online quiz to evaluate if you may be a good candidate for a sleep study. If you’re advised to order a sleep test, you can create an account and get started right away! Upon login, you can order a home sleep test to be delivered to you within the week. After receiving your sleep study in the mail, you can take it in the comfort of your own bed! Our clinicians will review your results and we’ll contact you when your diagnosis and treatment recommendations are available. Our GEM coaches will help you with any questions you may have and help you determine the treatment that will work best for you. When you’re ready, you can order your supplies right from your GEM portal and work with your GEM coach to get comfortable and confident with the treatment option you’ve chosen. Already have a GEM Account, log-in here.
*OSA is a common sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep due to obstruction of the upper airway.
**Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently high.
References:
Shirahama, R., Tanigawa, T., Ida, Y., Fukuhisa,K., Tanaka, R., Tomooka, K., Lan, F. Y., Ikeda, A., Wada, H., & Kales, S.N. (2021). Long-term effect of continuous positive airway pressure therapy onblood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Scientific reports,11(1), 19101. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-98553-0
If you are tired or exhausted do not operate a vehicle or machinery.
The information contained in this document is for educational purposes only, Sleep Apnea can only be diagnosed via a medically approved sleep study. A sleep study must be ordered and reviewed by a professional provider trained in Sleep Medicine.
GEM Sleep is focused on treatment and support of Sleep Apnea, not other sleep conditions.