The only time most healthy people receive a blood pressure reading
is at their yearly checkup at the doctor's office. But snoring and other
breathing problems during sleep can be a symptom of a very serious medical
condition: sleep apnea. If you are snoring at night, it’s
important to contact a sleep doctor to begin receiving diagnosis and treatment.
You might not even be aware that you’re snoring until your
significant other or housemate in an adjoining room complains about the noise.
Loud snoring is an indication that your airway is being obstructed during sleep.
While occasional snoring is normal and non-harmful, snoring
every night could be one of the earliest indicators that you’re suffering from
sleep apnea, a condition where breathing becomes interrupted during sleep. One
of the many serious symptoms
of sleep apnea is diminished oxygen content in the blood, which can
increase the risk of high blood pressure.
High blood pressure, medically known as hypertension, is another
serious medical condition that makes the heart work harder to pump blood
throughout the body. High blood pressure can be asymptomatic in its early
stages, making it hard for patients with the disorder to know when to seek
treatment. However, regular appointments with your doctor can help track your
blood pressure so it doesn’t reach critical levels.
Early detection might reduce your risk of potentially
serious complications such as:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Diminished kidney function
- Damage to blood vessels in the eyes
- Cognitive impairment affecting memory and learning abilities.
If you’re snoring at night, please contact a sleep doctor in your
area or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) today to schedule a
blood pressure evaluation and learn about steps for treating sleep apnea.