Study: Sleep Apnea Could Cause Nighttime Heart Attacks

A new study has shown that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could lead to more nighttime heart attacks than daytime heart attacks. OSA is a problem in which the tissues at the back of the throat collapse temporarily during sleep resulting in the upper airways becoming partially or completely blocked causing interrupted breathing several times per night. The treatment involves the use of a special breathing device that alleviates the blockage by pushing air into the throat.

Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the study recommends that people who suffer heart attacks sleeping at night be screened for obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Virend K. Somers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and colleagues studied 92 heart attack patients who underwent overnight sleep tests 2-3 weeks post their heart attack and OSA was identified in 64 or 70 %. The frequency of heart attacks was higher in OSA patients from midnight to 6 am, while patients who do not have OSA suffer maximum attacks between 6 am to noon.

Somers' group concludes that the blood pressure, nerve, and hormonal changes wrought by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could lead to blockage of the coronary arteries and heart attack. These findings further suggest that nighttime heart attacks may be the reason for the increased likelihood of nighttime sudden death that has been reported in OSA patients

Study: Sleep Apnea Could Cause Nighttime Heart Attacks 7-22-08

A new study has shown that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could lead to more nighttime heart attacks than daytime heart attacks. OSA is a problem in which the tissues at the back of the throat collapse temporarily during sleep resulting in the upper airways becoming partially or completely blocked causing interrupted breathing several times per night. The treatment involves the use of a special breathing device that alleviates the blockage by pushing air into the throat. Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the study recommends that people who suffer heart attacks sleeping at night be screened for obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Virend K. Somers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and colleagues studied 92 heart attack patients who underwent overnight sleep tests 2-3 weeks post their heart attack and OSA was identified in 64 or 70 %. The frequency of heart attacks was higher in OSA patients from midnight to 6 am, while patients who do not have OSA suffer maximum attacks between 6 am to noon. Somers' group concludes that the blood pressure, nerve, and hormonal changes wrought by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could lead to blockage of the coronary arteries and heart attack. These findings further suggest that nighttime heart attacks may be the reason for the increased likelihood of nighttime sudden death that has been reported in OSA patients