Severe Sleep Apnea

Severe sleep apnea often is a result of untreated sleep apnea symptom. It is determined you have severe sleep apnea when you have more than thirty episodes of apnea per hour with no more than 79% of oxygen saturation.

Severe sleep apnea symptoms are mainly sleepiness and drowsiness during activities demanding attention (eating, driving, talking, walking). This symptoms have a negative impact in the quality of life of the person suffering from severe sleep apnea.

Severe Sleep Apnea and Stroke Risk

A study done in 2005 found that the likeliness of having a stroke is 3 to 4 times more than people without sleep apnea. According to researcher Douglas Barney, severe sleep apnea is a more critical factor than hypertension and diabetes.

When you have obstructive sleep apnea, your air passages close during the night due to muscle relaxations. This causes an inability to achieve proper sleep and high blood pressure. As you may know high blood pressure is the most common risk factor for a stroke.

Another reason suggested by researchers is that this happens when the body enters the “flight or fight” phase (that kick starts when the body senses a lack of oxygen). This makes blood more cottable, and blood clots on the brain cause strokes.

This study provides yet another reason to quickly treat any sign of sleep apnea, before it turns into a sever disorder.