Ambulatory BP studies indicate that even small increases in BP, particularly nighttime BP levels, are associated with significant increases in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Accordingly, sleep-related diseases that induce increases in BP would be anticipated to substantially affect cardiovascular risk. Both sleep deprivation and insomnia have been linked to increases in incidence and prevalence of hypertension.
Likewise, sleep disruption attributable to restless legs syndrome increases the likelihood of having hypertension. Read the rest of this entry
Community-dwelling middle-aged and older men with obstructive sleep apnea had an increased risk for developing HF and a modest increased risk for developing coronary heart disease, according to study data.
This prospective, longitudinal epidemiological study consisted of 1,927 men and 2,495 women at least 40 years of age and free from CHD and HF at the time of baseline polysomnography. Participants at baseline (1995–1998) completed questionnaires on sleep habits and general health, and had height, weight and BP measured, in addition to overnight polysomnography. Follow-up was a median of 8.7 years. Read the rest of this entry
A study concluded on people with sleep apnea found an amazing correlation with increased risk for glaucoma and stroke.In all 83 people with sleep apnea participated in this research study. Out of these 83 people in the study — fully one third had glaucoma!
If you have sleep apnea you should see your eye doctor regularly and mention you have SA. Keep regular visits with your primary care physician to monitor blood pressure, serum cholesterol, and blood sugar.Symptoms of sleep apnea-which usually occur in overweight males, include daytime sleepiness, chronic fatigue, and decreased cognitive function.
Another study found 40 minutes of exercise per day (such as brisk walking), four days per week lowered pressure in the eyes as effectively as some eye drop medications! This means exercise can reduce your risk of glaucoma, or if you already have it, exercise will help your glaucoma medications work better.
There is a new home based device that can be potentially used for monitoring health issues – such as sleep apnea at home.
With this new device a patient’s vital signs are typically taken once every four to eight hours. The cuff works overtime, measuring a patient’s blood oxygen levels, heart rhythm and rate, respiration and blood pressure, every 60 seconds. The data is sent wirelessly to a central computer. If something goes wrong, an alert sounds. Read the rest of this entry
Ambulatory BP studies indicate that even small increases in BP, particularly nighttime BP levels, are associated with significant increases in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
