Scientists at Cleveland Clinic have found that sleep apnea, which is often accompanied by snoring, can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation, a dangerous heart rhythm disorder. The study was published on: Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA).
More than 42 thousand patients who underwent somnography, an evaluation of the body’s functioning during sleep, participated in the study. Despite the participants’ young age (51 years on average), 5% were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation within five years following the sleep study. In atrial fibrillation, the heart’s normal rhythm is disrupted: Heartbeats become irregular, often abnormally fast, impairing blood flow and increasing the risk of stroke.
The risk of arrhythmia was higher in patients who experienced a lack of oxygen during sleep due to apnea; respiratory pause of more than 10 seconds, in most cases accompanied by snoring. Every 10% decrease in average blood oxygen saturation increases the risk of atrial fibrillation by 30%.
Sleep apnea increased the risk of arrhythmias even after lung function was controlled. This suggests that lack of oxygen during sleep increases the risk of atrial fibrillation, regardless of the presence of any underlying lung disease. According to researchers, regular screening and treatment of sleep apnea may help reduce the likelihood of developing arrhythmias.
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