As more and more Indians battle sleep disorders, recent studies suggest that matters could be far more complex and dangerous. Several meta-analyses have suggested a close link between patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and hypertension. Sleep apnoea is characterised as a sleep disorder in which a person has disrupted sleep which leads to snoring and/or shallow breathing. While sleep apnoea hampers a person’s lifestyle and leads to a low productivity, it is largely left untreated because of its slow impact. However recent studies suggest that untreated sleep apnoea could be one of the primary reasons behind an aggravated case of hypertension.
Untreated sleep apnoea reduces the effect of medications for hypertension and many patients suffering from hypertension also suffer from sleep apnoea. A recent study done by an American college has established that the link between Hypertension and Sleep Apnoea could be found in the gut. This is especially concerning for Indians who have a high-fat diet. Unhealthy eating habits coupled with limited to no sleep makes Indians more prone to sleep disorders and metabolic diseases.
A Deadly Combination: Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Creates Several Problems
It is difficult to predict the stage at which a disease could prove to be the breeding ground for other diseases. And, while it is comparatively easy to manage a lifestyle disease by effecting changes in your daily routine but living with co-morbidities is highly challenging. Two things need to be prioritized in such a scenario, limiting high calorie foods and the tendency to obsess and limit food. These steps can help patients maintain healthy lifestyles even when suffering from a co-morbidity of OSA.
A Vicious Cycle
Compared to world average, India has lesser cases of hypertension however this might soon change. Experts project a high increase in the number of patients suffering from hypertension from 118 million in 2000 to 214 million in 2025 and while there is a lack of data for sleep apnoea as the cases largely go unreported, doctors suggest the number could be quite high. Some experts are concerned that India could become the world capital for hypertension just like diabetes
According to Dr Ashok Jhingan, Diabetologist, Chairman-Delhi Diabetes Research Centre, “Sleep apnea is like a triad. Disturbed sleep pattern leads disturb eating pattern leads to obesity. All these three cause hypertension, diabesity & heart problems. It is a vicious circle more sleep apnea leads to more diabesity more and this leads to joint pains gallbladder disease & thwart problems. Sleep Apnea is a life style disorder. Change your life style before Sleep Apnea.”
A 24×7 life style, rise in alcohol consumption, smoking, high calorific eating is causing obesity. Rising obesity leads to increase in neck circumference which is one of the main reasons for upper air way crowding which ultimately leads to OSA.
While patients take snoring and other symptoms of OSA lightly, it could be highly dangerous as sleep apnoea could lead to other lifestyle diseases like hypertension.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has in fact issued recommendation that patients suffering from hypertension should also be referred by the physicians to get tested for sleep apnoea. In the International guidelines for hypertension treatment, Sleep Apnoea has been mentioned as one of the risk factors. So while snoring may not be life-threatening, several studies suggest that an untreated OSA might be putting you at a greater risk of hypertension.
It is imperative that patients seek treatment for OSA, especially those over 50 years of age as they are at a greater risk of developing hypertension. And, it becomes highly difficult for a patient to lead a healthy life once he is in a grip of such co-morbidity.
However, if treated for sleep apnea, it may aid in lowering blood pressure levels. A simple mask called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which helps promote normal breathing during sleep, has been shown to reduce blood pressure levels. CPAP is especially effective in patients with resistant hypertension and serving as a potential treatment for these high-risk patients.