Have you ever heard of atrial fibrillation? It may seem a complicated term, but it is really simple to understand!
The heart needs to beat at a regular rate. It is defined as “arrhythmia” whenever this rate is disrupted, meaning the heart starts beating faster, then slower and finally speeds up once more.
Atrial fibrillation is a very common subtype of cardiac arrhythmia, and it consists of your heart beating too quickly or irregularly. In 2014, the Brazilian Society of Cardiac Arrhythmias published an article: “Who is the Specialist on Cardiac Arrhythmias?” (source : https://sobrac.org/) . This publication pointed out that atrial fibrillation is one of the most common types of cardiac arrhythmia in the world. With a rate of 2.5% within the population, this cardiovascular condition affects 175 million people.
It is a silent disease with very few specific symptoms. Its worst consequence is the risk of a stroke. Nevertheless, the patient who suffers from this type of arrhythmia usually feels tired, short of breath, and has an intensely beating heart.
Some of the risk factors for atrial fibrillation include the following:
- Smoking.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Alcohol consumption.
- Sleep Apnea.
- Stress, among others.
You must be wondering why we are saying all of this. Mainly, because the sleep disorder known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can cause cardiac arrhythmia. Therefore, a person who does not have a good quality of sleep may be endangering their health!
Did You Know That Sleep Apnea Can Lead to Atrial Fibrillation?
An article titled “Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Diseases”, was published in 2014 by the the Neuroscience Magazine of Brazi (source: http://www.revistaneurociencias.com.br/). This article elaborates on sleep apnea as a risk factor for developing atrial fibrillation. It also points out the fact that moderate or severe apnea increases the risk of this type of arrhythmia fourfold.
Patients who suffer from sleep apnea may also experience cardiac arrhythmia. This is because breathing becomes more intense due to airway obstruction during sleep, low blood oxygen saturation, and brief awakenings during the night to breathe. The fluctuation between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems during the sleep period enables arrhythmias to take place.
The first signs appear as snoring, breathing pauses and sleep fragmentation. Consequently, these symptoms trigger several hardships throughout the day including excessive daytime drowsiness, cognitive alterations (such as lack of productivity caused by problems with concentration and memory), and headaches when waking up. If you present any of these symptoms, your physician will provide a diagnosis by prescribing the appropriate sleep monitoring exams.
On the one hand, there is the Biologix Sleep Test®, a simple, efficient and clinically validated test that can be conducted at home. You just need to place the sensor on your finger before going to sleep and start the Test on the Biologix app. When waking up the next morning, tap on “Finish test”, and you will receive the results via email in a matter of seconds.
On the other hand, the diagnosis can be carried out through an exam known as polysomnography. This exam is more complex and requires the patient to spend the night in a sleep lab. The patient is monitored with sensors that record the airflow through the nose and mouth, blood oxygenation, heart rate, brain activity, and movements of the chest and limbs.
The treatment for atrial fibrillation that originated from sleep apnea may involve, in addition to medications and surgery, lifestyle changes. However, when dealing with more severe cases, treatment may include oral appliances, devices for respiratory support, and even surgery to clear the upper airways.
Usually, for severe cases, the best option is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). It is a device that provides continuous air pressure through a nasal or facial mask that keeps the upper airways open throughout the entire sleep period. Nowadays, many studies verify the benefits of CPAP in sleep apnea patients. This device decreases intrathoracic pressure, hypoxia, acidosis, and awakenings, reducing cardiac arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation. In addition to easing snoring, the use of CPAP reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems and hypertension that result from sleep apnea and snoring.
Do not waste time and take care of yourself!
IMPORTANT! Only properly qualified physicians and dental surgeons can diagnose diseases, recommend treatments and prescribe medications. The information available herein is for educational purposes only.
