Snoring & Heart Disease
John Schaff snored much of his adult life, but it became more frequent and intense in his early 40s. Despite the growing concern, he dismissed it as a minor annoyance. Even after experiencing side effects from poor sleep, he brushed off his wife’s concerns, often saying, “It’s just snoring” and “It’s nothing to worry about.” At that time, neither of them was aware of the potential dangers of sleep apnoea.
Despite leading an active life, John’s sleep problems persisted and began to negatively impact his daily activities. He would nod off in church, fall asleep while watching TV or working in his office, and even start to doze off at the wheel. Although John saw his doctor regularly, nothing appeared to be wrong. Routine blood and cholesterol tests were normal, and his doctor simply recommended that he lose some weight. Sleep was not part of the conversation.
Finally, a doctor with experience in sleep disorders suspected John suffered from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). The doctor explained that years of interrupted sleep and breathing had deprived John’s body of oxygen, slowing his metabolism and putting a strain on his heart.
John agreed to a sleep test, but unfortunately, died of cardiac arrest just two days before the test. The lack of oxygen over time had unknowingly damaged his heart, and sleep apnoea was listed on his death certificate as a contributing cause. He was just 57 years old.
The Hidden Dangers of Sleep Apnoea and Snoring
John Schaff’s story is a reminder that the implications of sleep apnoea go beyond just poor sleep.
To understand the connection between sleep apnoea, snoring and heart disease, let’s first examine what snoring and sleep apnoea are.
What is Snoring?
Snoring occurs when airflow through the mouth and nose is partially blocked during sleep, causing the tissues in the throat to vibrate. While often seen as a harmless annoyance, it can sometimes indicate a more serious underlying issue: obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
What is Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a condition where a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), occurs when the throat muscles relax excessively, causing temporary airway collapse. These interruptions lead to hypoxia, a drop in blood oxygen levels.
During sleep, all muscles in the body relax. In people without obstructive sleep apnoea, the throat muscles relax but do not block the airways. In patients with OSA, the airways become temporarily blocked or narrowed, lowering the oxygen level in the blood.
When this impaired breathing occurs, the brain senses it and briefly wakes the person up to reopen the airway. This awakening is usually so brief that it goes unnoticed. The person might snort, choke, or gasp.
Most of the time, the person is unaware of these breathing stoppages, but their body is affected, leading to daytime tiredness.
Link Between Sleep Apnoea, Snoring and Heart Disease
1 in 3 Singaporeans suffers from moderate to severe sleep apnoea*, and 1 in 10 suffers from severe sleep apnoea.
Untreated sleep apnoea significantly increases the risk of heart arrhythmias and cardiovascular disease. Patients with sleep apnoea are estimated to be 2-4 times more likely to develop heart arrhythmias than those without the condition. Additionally, sleep apnoea raises the risk of heart failure by 140% and the risk of coronary heart disease by 30%.
While snoring is not necessarily a sign of heart failure, it can indicate sleep apnoea. Since sleep apnoea can lead to heart failure and other serious conditions, it is important to identify the cause of snoring, especially if it is chronic and loud.
Here is how sleep apnoea impacts heart health:
- Increased Blood Pressure: Episodes of interrupted breathing cause the body to release stress hormones, which raise blood pressure—a significant risk factor for heart disease.
- Heart Strain: Frequent drops in blood oxygen levels (hypoxia) make the heart work harder to maintain oxygen supply, putting extra strain on the cardiovascular system.
- Inflammation: Sleep apnoea can trigger systemic inflammation, contributing to the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases like coronary artery disease.
- Irregular Heartbeats: Disrupted sleep and hypoxia can lead to arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), increasing the risk of stroke and heart failure.
Sleep Apnoea and Snoring Solutions at DP Dental
At DP Dental, we take a comprehensive approach to addressing sleep-related breathing disorders. We collaborate closely with medical specialists, including ENTs and cardiologists, to ensure our patients receive thorough evaluations and the best possible care.
Our Approach to Managing Sleep Apnoea and Snoring
Our skilled dentists, trained in dental sleep medicine, provide personalised, non-invasive solutions for managing sleep apnoea and snoring, such as:
These custom-fitted devices gently reposition the lower jaw forward, keeping the airway open during sleep. They are a comfortable and effective alternative to CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnoea and also help protect teeth from grinding (bruxism).
Benefits of Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnoea and Snoring
- Comfort and Convenience: Custom-fitted for each patient, these appliances are comfortable and easy to use. They are also lightweight and portable, and don’t require a power source, making them convenient for travel.
- Non-Invasive: Oral appliances provide a non-invasive solution, avoiding the need for surgery and allowing easy adjustments over time.
- Improved Compliance: Many patients find oral appliances more comfortable than CPAP machines, leading to better adherence and more consistent use.
When dealing with issues such as misaligned teeth and narrow jaws, aligner treatment emerges as a solution. Our approach focuses on relieving strain, reducing grinding and clenching, and addressing sleep apnoea by expanding the jaw and ensuring proper teeth alignment.
Adjunctive Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy is a non-invasive, evidence-based approach to addressing snoring and sleep apnoea. It focuses on the muscles involved in breathing and swallowing to promote proper tongue position, improve breathing patterns, and reduce airway obstruction during sleep. Research shows that myofunctional therapy significantly reduces the severity of sleep apnoea – even providing a reduction in AHI of up to 50% in adults and 62% in children.
Understanding the link between sleep apnoea, hypoxia, snoring and heart disease highlights the importance of addressing these sleep-related breathing disorders. At DP Dental, we are committed to improving our patients’ overall health and quality of life by offering comprehensive care and effective, non-invasive solutions like oral appliances.
If you or a loved one is experiencing snoring or symptoms of sleep apnoea, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward better sleep health.
