For many people, sleep apnea is thought of as “just snoring” or an inconvenience that disrupts sleep. It’s easy to brush off symptoms like loud snoring, gasping at night, or daytime fatigue as minor annoyances—especially when life is busy and stress is high. After all, if you’re getting through the day, how serious can it be?
The reality is that untreated sleep apnea can have serious consequences, especially for your heart. Dr. Michael N. Newton and his staff frequently see patients who are surprised to learn how closely sleep apnea and cardiovascular health are connected. Sleep apnea doesn’t just leave you feeling tired — it can quietly increase your risk for long-term heart problems. The good news is that with proper diagnosis and treatment, these risks can often be reduced.
Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. In obstructive sleep apnea, the airway becomes blocked, preventing adequate airflow. Each pause in breathing lowers oxygen levels in the blood and forces the body to briefly wake up to resume breathing — sometimes dozens of times per hour.
These repeated drops in oxygen and sleep disruptions place significant stress on the cardiovascular system. Over time, this stress can contribute to high blood pressure, which is one of the most common conditions linked to sleep apnea. In fact, people with untreated sleep apnea are far more likely to develop hypertension, and those who already have high blood pressure may find it difficult to control.
Sleep apnea has also been associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation. When the body is deprived of oxygen night after night, the heart must work harder, which can lead to inflammation and damage to blood vessels.
One of the biggest challenges with sleep apnea is that many people don’t realize they have it. Symptoms often occur during sleep, and bed partners are usually the first to notice loud snoring, choking, or gasping sounds. Meanwhile, the person with sleep apnea may only notice daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, or mood changes.
Left untreated, sleep apnea can worsen existing heart disease and increase the likelihood of serious cardiovascular events. Beyond heart health, it can also affect blood sugar regulation, increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, impair memory and focus, and raise the risk of accidents due to fatigue.
In short, sleep apnea doesn’t just affect how you sleep — it affects how your entire body functions.
If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, treatment can make a meaningful difference in both sleep quality and heart health. Managing sleep apnea helps stabilize oxygen levels during sleep, reduce nighttime stress on the heart, and improve daytime energy and focus.
If you haven’t been diagnosed but suspect a problem, there are signs to watch for:
Loud, chronic snoring
Pauses in breathing during sleep
Waking up gasping or choking
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Morning headaches or dry mouth
Lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and avoiding alcohol before bed can help, but many people require medical treatment to fully address sleep apnea.
We treat sleep apnea and other sleep-related conditions, and we offer home sleep testing to help determine whether sleep apnea is affecting your health. Home sleep studies are convenient, comfortable, and provide valuable information about your breathing, oxygen levels, and sleep patterns.
Once diagnosed, treatment options may include oral appliance therapy, CPAP alternatives, or other individualized solutions designed to improve airflow during sleep and protect your long-term health.
If you’re concerned about your heart health, struggle with fatigue, or suspect you may have sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with Dr. Newton and our staff. Proper sleep is not a luxury — it’s an essential part of protecting your heart and improving your quality of life.
