Sleep apnea particularly dangerous for heart health in young adults

[PeteS in CA]

Sleep apnea particularly dangerous for heart health in young adults

https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2024/07/11/sleep-apnea-dangerous-heart-health-young-adults/8791720702260/

Sleep apnea is particularly dangerous for the heart health of young adults, even more so than in older folks, a new study warns.

The link between sleep apnea and risk factors for heart disease is stronger in people between 20 and 40 years of age than in those 40 and older, researchers reported recently in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

For example, young adults with sleep apnea had a 45% increased risk of high blood pressure, compared with a 10% increased risk in older people, results show.

Likewise, sleep apnea increased the risk of diabetes by 33% in young adults compared with 12% in middle-aged and older folks, and the risk of metabolic syndrome by 25% versus 7%, researchers found.

Sleep apnea isn't always easily diagnosed.

[DB]

I didn't do anything about my sleep apnea until after I had a heart attack and kidney cancer. While in the hospital for the kidney issue they told me I had sleep apnea. I had an oxygen saturation monitor on my finger during the night (at home) and it went down to 62% and with my heart racing for several minutes. A few percent lower and generally you don't wake up again. Who knows how much damage I did to myself in the many years prior. I now require a CPAP machine to sleep. I hate the mask, it hurts and leaves strap marks on my head (I have little hair top side). But I can't sleep without it, not one night...

If you suspect you have it, you should do something about it.

[GtHawk]

I didn't do anything about my sleep apnea until after I had a heart attack and kidney cancer. While in the hospital for the kidney issue they told me I had sleep apnea. I had an oxygen saturation monitor on my finger during the night (at home) and it went down to 62% and with my heart racing for several minutes. A few percent lower and generally you don't wake up again. Who knows how much damage I did to myself in the many years prior. I now require a CPAP machine to sleep. I hate the mask, it hurts and leaves strap marks on my head (I have little hair top side). But I can't sleep without it, not one night...

If you suspect you have it, you should do something about it.

I had a Cpap for many years but after a sleep study five years ago they switched me to an APAP.

[mountaineer]

That 62% oxygenation level is scary, @DB. So glad you were properly diagnosed!

[PeteS in CA]

I've been using a doctor-prescribed, dentist-created appliance for several years. I haven't noticed much difference, but Mrs. PeteS does.

Decades ago, my Dad had sleep apnea badly. It would scare my Mom when she heard him stop breathing for several seconds, and then resume. He lived to age 90, though some of his health problems might have been apnea-related.

[DB]

I've been using a doctor-prescribed, dentist-created appliance for several years. I haven't noticed much difference, but Mrs. PeteS does.

Decades ago, my Dad had sleep apnea badly. It would scare my Mom when she heard him stop breathing for several seconds, and then resume. He lived to age 90, though some of his health problems might have been apnea-related.

The ones with a problem don't stop breathing for several seconds. It's minutes.