Obstructive sleep apnea patients at increased heart disease risk

Washington, Jan 25 (ANI): People with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at two-fold risk of dying due to cardiovascular problem, say experts.

Over the past 10 years, several studies have linked OSA to high blood pressure.

Patients who require three or more medications to control hypertension have an 80pct chance of having OSA.

Also, compared to the general population the prevalence of OSA is significantly higher among patients with chronic heart failure (50pc higher), atrial fibrillation (50 pc higher) and coronary artery disease (40 pc higher).

For patients with these heart conditions, a sleep study is crucial because if their OSA goes undiagnosed and untreated, they will have a doubled risk for death during the next 5 years.

Patients with type 2 diabetes are also at increased heart attack risk if they don't manage their conditions.

According to cardiologists and endocrinologists from Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and Northwest Hospital in Randallstown, Maryland, diabetes happens when there is a breakdown in the way our bodies turn food into fat and energy.

Most of the food we ingest is turned into glucose, also called blood sugar. Glucose is the primary fuel for our bodies. However, over time, if our blood glucose is too high, it can harm our blood vessels and nerves. That's because both are an important part of our cardiovascular systems.

It is necessary to introduce changes in lifestyle. Setting up nutritional goals or working with dietician and other heart and diabetes experts can help stave off the risk.

Another study showed that for people who have had a heart attack or certain other heart condition, participating in an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program can be key to ensuring that they don't have another heart event.

It shows that the more sessions of cardiac rehabilitation a heart patient participated in, the more his or her risk for heart attack and sudden death was reduced.

Cardiac rehab gives patients a customized exercise plan and lifestyle modification coaching to help get their hearts into shape. (ANI)