The Link Between Sleep Apnea and High Blood Pressure
If you wake up feeling poorly rested on a regular basis, it may not just be that you’re tossing and turning in your sleep—it could be obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder that causes the sufferer to stop breathing multiple times throughout the night, leading to a variety of short- and long-term complications. One risk of sleep apnea is that it can contribute to high blood pressure. Here’s what you should know about the link between sleep apnea and high blood pressure and why you should seek treatment as soon as possible.
Sleep Apnea and High Blood Pressure: The Connection
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure and other heart problems. According to the Mayo Clinic, sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that occur when a person stops breathing strain the cardiovascular system and increase blood pressure, which can lead to high blood pressure over time. Sleep apnea can also lead to metabolic syndrome, which also includes high blood pressure. While this is scary, the good news is that treating your sleep apnea can also help to treat your high blood pressure.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
If you think that you might have sleep apnea, talking to your doctor and getting an official diagnosis is the first step in seeking treatment. From there, your doctor will work with you to identify the potential cause of your sleep apnea and explore various treatment options. Treatment options for sleep apnea include:
- Quitting smoking and drinking
- Losing weight
- Using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device
- Supplemental oxygen treatment
- Using oral appliances
- Treating other conditions that may be contributing to sleep apnea
- Surgery if all other treatment options are ineffective
Will My Insurance Cover Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Before you pursue a specific sleep apnea treatment, it’s important to speak with your insurance provider about what types of treatment are covered. Most insurance providers will cover at least a portion of sleep apnea treatment options, such as an oral appliance or CPAP device. At Distinctive Dental Solutions, we have payment plans and financing options available.
Call Distinctive Dental Solutions Today
If treating your sleep apnea with an oral appliance is recommended by your doctor, call Distinctive Dental Solutions for your oral appliance fitting and instructions. We are here to help protect your oral health and your overall health. Reach out to us today by phone or online to get started. We are accepting new patients.
