Sleep apnoea: what are the risks if left untreated?

By Cristiano Antonino On Jan 31, 2023

Treating sleep apnoea is always a good thing. Sufferers of sleep apnoea do not only endanger the health of their heart, but also their entire body

Three different studies presented at the European Respiratory Society congress showed that sleep apnoea sufferers are at greater risk of cognitive problems, developing clots implicated in deep vein thromboembolism, and may increase their risk of cancer.

Three reasons for early intervention.

WHAT ARE SLEEP APNOEAS?

Morphic obstructive sleep apnoea – this is the real name for sleep apnoea – is a sleep disorder in which there is a temporary cessation of breathing that can last up to several seconds.

Several factors such as obesity, smoking, palate conformation and deviation of the nasal septum are at the root of the phenomenon.

The consequences of the temporary blockage are easy to understand: when breathing is absent for several seconds, the heart is forced to abruptly accelerate its heart rate and the percentage of oxygen reaching the brain can drop to 60% (normally it is 90% or more).

According to recent studies, 15% of the population over 40 suffer from sleep apnoea.

The main symptoms are snoring, frequent awakenings where one has the sensation of choking, a dry throat and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Obviously, the severity depends on the number of episodes.

Continuous stress puts heart health at risk: sleep apnoea is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases.

THE BRAIN EFFECTS OF SLEEP APNOEA

The studies presented at ERS add a few more pieces of knowledge.

In the first, by researchers from the University of Lausanne, it emerged that sleep apnoea in the elderly is associated with worse cognitive decline than in non-sufferers.

In particular, the analysis, using cognitive tests that assessed knowledge and reasoning ability, processing speed, executive function such as the ability to organise thoughts and activities and prioritise tasks and make decisions, verbal memory, language and perception of spatial relationships between objects, showed that in individuals over 74 years of age, oxygen deficiency due to apnoea is an important factor in worsening test results.

INCREASED RISK OF THROMBOEMBOLISM

In the second, by researchers at Angers University Hospital, it was shown that those who spent more than 6% of the night with blood oxygen levels below 90% had an almost doubled risk of developing deep vein thromboembolism compared to those who did not suffer from sleep apnoea.

This important, albeit preliminary, result adds to the well-established finding of increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

THE POSSIBLE LINK WITH TUMOURS

The third, carried out in Sweden using data from the Swedish National Cancer Registry, showed that there is a correlation between suffering from sleep apnoea and an increased risk of developing cancer.

Not only that, the analysis showed that the risk was higher in cases where the sleep apnoea was moderate to severe.

This does not mean -the authors emphasise- that sleep apnoea is a direct cause of the development of the disease.

In fact, one of the major limitations of the study was the absence of any assessment of the participants’ lifestyle.

SLEEP APNOEA, HOW TO INTERVENE?

Fortunately, sleep apnoea is not an impossible condition to treat.

Depending on the severity, there are various interventions: weight reduction and correction of the structural defect in the airways can lead to the resolution of the problem.

The most widespread and effective treatment, however – in cases where even losing weight is not enough – is the use of a device (CPAP) that, through a nasal mask, sends air pressure into the airways, preventing them from closing in sleep.

Valid approaches that bring the risk of heart attack and stroke down to levels comparable to those of people without the disorder.

Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Kids With Sleep Apnea Into Teen Years Could Develop High Blood Pressure

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: Symptoms And Treatment For Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: What It Is And How To Treat It

Grinding Your Teeth While You Sleep: Symptoms And Remedies For Bruxism

Long Covid And Insomnia: ‘Sleep Disturbances And Fatigue After Infection’

Sleep Disorders: The Signs Not To Be Underestimated

Sleepwalking: What It Is, What Symptoms It Has And How To Treat It

What Are The Causes Of Sleepwalking?

Catatonia: Meaning, Definition, Causes, Synonyms And Cures

Teenagers And Sleep Disorders: When To Consult A Specialist?