New findings from researchers at a leading medical center indicate that sleep apnea, commonly linked with snoring, may elevate the risk of atrial fibrillation, a serious irregular heart rhythm. This insight comes from a study published in a major cardiovascular journal.
The investigation followed more than 42,000 individuals who underwent a sleep study that assesses how the body functions during rest. On average, participants were 51 years old, yet 5 percent developed atrial fibrillation within five years after the sleep assessment. In atrial fibrillation, the heart loses its steady beat, beating irregularly and often more rapidly, which can hinder blood flow and raise stroke risk.
Researchers observed that the risk of rhythm disturbances rose in those who experienced oxygen deprivation during sleep, typically accompanied by pauses in breathing longer than 10 seconds and often with snoring. A 10 percent drop in average blood oxygen levels correlated with roughly a 30 percent higher chance of atrial fibrillation.
Even after adjusting for lung function, sleep apnea remained linked to a higher likelihood of arrhythmias. This suggests that low oxygen levels during sleep can increase atrial fibrillation risk independent of any underlying lung disease. The team emphasized that routine screening for sleep apnea and effective treatment could help lower the odds of developing rhythm problems over time.
Earlier research has explored how various sleep disorders relate to cardiovascular health, and this study adds to the growing evidence that sleep quality plays a key role in heart rhythm stability. For individuals with sleep apnea, addressing breathing interruptions at night may offer broader health benefits beyond restful sleep. Ongoing monitoring and management strategies are recommended to reduce potential cardiac risks related to disturbed sleep.
In practical terms, health professionals advocate for sleep evaluations as part of comprehensive heart health screening, especially for adults with reported snoring or daytime fatigue. Interventions may include weight management, positional therapy, continuous positive airway pressure devices, or other medically supervised approaches to improve nighttime breathing and oxygenation. Public health messaging continues to highlight the importance of recognizing sleep-related breathing issues as a potentially modifiable factor in cardiovascular risk.
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