The Potent Link Between Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease

The Potent Link Between Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease

A person lying in bed, hands over face, struggling to fall asleep

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep because the airway narrows or blocks due to the muscles in the throat relaxing. A person will suffer from reduced or stopped breathing until the body sends out the alert, causing a brief wake-up or “arousal,” leading to a chronic state of feeling unrested. However, sleep apnea’s impacts don’t stop there. There’s growing awareness around its implications beyond poor sleep. This includes its effect on one very important organ – the heart.

There’s an inextricable link between sleep apnea and heart disease. Studies show that between 40% and 80% of people with cardiovascular disease (CVD) also have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).1 On the other hand, those with severe, untreated OSA are twice as likely to develop a heart attack as those without OSA.2

This is because the drop in airflow typical of sleep apnea lowers blood oxygen levels (also called hypoxia), causing increased strain on the heart and blood vessels.3 In addition, unsuccessful forced inhalations can cause chest pressure changes within the chest cavity, damaging the heart over time. This can manifest in heart rhythm problems, high blood pressure, stroke, coronary artery disease, and even heart failure.4

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Due to its link to CVD, it’s important to take careful note of potential signs of sleep apnea.4 These include excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, pauses in breathing, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, or mood changes. Consult with a doctor to determine the next step if you think you have sleep apnea.

Benefits of the AIRLIFT Sleep Apnea Solution

If you do receive an OSA diagnosis, the AIRLIFT® procedure may be a good option to explore. A minimally invasive solution, AIRLIFT hyoid suspension repositions and suspends the hyoid bone, located in the front of the neck. This expands and stabilizes the airway to make it easier to breathe when you sleep.

Benefits of the AIRLIFT procedure include:

  • Short post-operative recovery: Most patients return to normal activities within a week.
  • Relief from snoring and other symptoms: The median apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), a measure of sleep apnea severity, was reduced by 74% in patients who underwent the AIRLIFT procedure as part of their treatment.5
  • Hassle-free: AIRLIFT doesn’t require any additional equipment or nighttime appliances.
  • Affordability: The procedure is covered by most insurance and Medicare/Medicaid.

Properly treating sleep apnea with a procedure like AIRLIFT benefits the heart in many ways. Stabilizing the airway reduces nighttime blood pressure surges. Keeping oxygen flowing reduces strain on the heart and blood vessels. It even wards off heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes by lowering inflammation throughout the body.6 And in many cases, it may be more effective than CPAP in mitigating cardiovascular disease long term. In a study comparing clinical cardiovascular disease outcomes in those treated with sleep surgery versus CPAP, researchers found most surgical interventions, such as the AIRLIFT procedure, to be more beneficial for mitigating cardiovascular disease in well-selected patients.7

Reach out to your doctor if you suspect sleep apnea. Addressing it has enormous health benefits, especially when it comes to your heart. While untreated sleep apnea is dangerous, AIRLIFT addresses it in a safe, effective, and hassle-free way.

Think AIRLIFT could be right for you? Find an AIRLIFT provider near you.

Sources:

  1. Yeghiazarians Y, Jneid H, Tietjens JR, et al. Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2021;144(3):e56-e67. doi:https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000988
  2. Ali D, Qureshi S, Siddiqui H, et al. Rising cardiovascular mortality among obstructive sleep apnea patients: United States epidemiological trends (1999–2019). Heart & Lung. 2025;70:271-277. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrtlng.2025.01.005
  3. Cleveland Clinic. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): Symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. Published November 15, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24443-obstructive-sleep-apnea-osa
  4. Newsom R. Is Sleep Apnea Connected to Heart Disease? Sleep Foundation. Published February 5, 2021. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea-linked-heart-disease
  5. Van Tassel, et.al. , Hyoid Suspension with UPPP for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Ear, Nose & Throat Journal. 2021 Mar; 1-8
  6. Jean-Louis G, Brown CD, Zizi F, et al. Cardiovascular disease risk reduction with sleep apnea treatment. Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy. 2010;8(7):995-1005. doi:https://doi.org/10.1586/erc.10.55
  7. Martin AM, Elliott Z, Mastrolonardo E, et al. Long Term Cardiovascular Outcomes Between Sleep Surgery and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology. 2024;133(12):1019-1028. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/00034894241284169

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