Question 109 of 433
Why does a cardiologist care so much about sleep?
The short answer
Because untreated sleep apnea drives high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, stroke, and insulin resistance.
When a patient’s blood pressure resists several medications, sleep apnea is one of the first things I look for, and I find it more often than not. Atrial fibrillation is much more likely to return after treatment if apnea is left alone. Apnea also worsens blood sugar and makes weight loss harder by disrupting the hormones that control appetite. It is linked to memory decline as well.
In other words, it sits upstream of several of the Four Horsemen. Treating it is not about snoring. It is about the heart and the brain.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
OBSERVATIONAL / MECHANISTIC — Sleep apnea and cardiovascular risk; treatment effects require separate trials.Evidence grade (draft mapping)CObservationalPart 8, Q109 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.