Snoring Isn’t the End… Sleep Apnea That Leads to Hypertension and Myocardial Infarction
‘Some people feel tired despite getting enough sleep. If this sounds familiar, it might be worth considering whether you have sleep apnea, which is characterized by snoring and gasping for air during sleep.’
According to an analysis by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of sleep apnea patients increased from 45,000 in 2018 to 150,000 in 2023, a 3.4-fold increase over five years.
By gender, men accounted for 80.5% and women for 19.5% of the cases. The prevalence was highest among men in their 40s at 21.5%, followed by men in their 30s at 20.1%. Among women, those in their 60s had the highest prevalence at 5.3%, followed by women in their 50s at 5.1%.
Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops during sleep. Obesity is a major contributing factor, as weight gain can increase the soft tissue around the airways, narrowing the throat when breathing in. The reduction of muscle mass and increase in body fat can exacerbate snoring.
The weakening of airway muscles due to aging can also worsen snoring and sleep apnea.
Dr. An Sang-hyun from the Department of Otolaryngology at Bundang Jesaeng Hospital stated that many young men visit the clinic because their snoring bothers their newlywed wives, while middle-aged women often come due to discomfort when traveling with friends.
Dr. An emphasized the need for treatment, stating, “There are both non-surgical and surgical treatments for sleep apnea. Non-surgical methods include diet control and exercise, especially strength training, to manage body fat and address the root causes of snoring and sleep apnea.”
However, non-surgical treatments are time-consuming, hence using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine during sleep is recommended. If anatomical issues are causing sleep apnea, surgical options may be considered first.
Dr. An also noted, “Sleep apnea causes daytime sleepiness and fatigue, reducing concentration and impacting social life and overall quality of life. Moreover, it decreases blood oxygen saturation, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases like hypertension and myocardial infarction, as well as cerebrovascular diseases like stroke. Therefore, if snoring and sleep apnea are observed, getting an early and accurate diagnosis and treatment is vital.”