People with obstructive sleep apnea are at a much higher risk of sudden cardiac death, according to a study published by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Sleep apnea is when a person stops breathing for at least 10 seconds at least five times an hour during sleep. Symptoms include loud snoring, choking, shortness of breath and daytime sleepiness. Breathing disorders are associated with cardiovascular disease. They contribute, among others for high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and infarction.
Dr. Virend Somers from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester (USA) conducted a study in a group of 10,7 thousand. people who have been followed for over 5 years. During this time, there were 142 cases of sudden cardiac death, with the most frequent deaths in those over the age of 60, having approximately 20 apnea episodes per hour and having the lowest arterial oxygen saturation levels. If the saturation level was below 78%, the risk of sudden cardiac death was 80% higher.
Earlier research by Dr. Somers showed that people suffering from sleep apnea were more likely to die suddenly of heart disease between 22.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m. (sudden cardiac death rarely occurs in the general population at that time) (PAP).
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