Atrial fibrillation and sleep

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has the potential to increase the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) according to research that was presented at the ATS (American Thoracic Society) 2017 International Conference. AF is a very common cardiac arrhythmia. It shows up as a rapid/irregular heartbeat. It has the potential to lead to strokes and other heart problems.

“There is strong biologic plausibility that obstructive sleep apnea may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation through a number of mechanisms,” says the lead author of the research, Tetyana Kendzerska, MD, PhD, who is an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Ottawa in Canada.

The researchers reviewed records of 8,256 adults whose average age was 47. They had possible untreated OSA without any doctor diagnosed AF. Out of these participants, 173 developed AF requiring hospitalization during the 13 year follow up period. The best predictors of AF were severity of OSA and the time oxygen in the blood was at less than 90 percent saturation. Oxygen desaturation was found to be the best predictor of AF and it is a stronger predictor in women than in men.

OSA is a very serious problem. It is usually accompanied with loud snoring and involves partial and/or total airway collapse during sleep. These collapses of the airway for over 10 seconds in OSA sometimes occur as many as a hundred times or more per night in many patients. These airway blockages can cause many physiological changes in AF patients and these changes are linked to many medical problems which you can find on my website — www.NWSleepDoc.com.

“Other studies have shown that women with sleep apnea are at greater risk of cardiovascular consequences, including mortality,” says senior author of the research Richard S. Leung, MD, Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine at the University of Toronto.

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Dr. Donald Johnson founded Northwest Treatment Center for Snoring & Sleep Apnea in Coeur d’Alene to help patients stop their snoring and live free with no limits! Obstructive sleep apnea is usually able to be treated with a small oral appliance. Dr. Johnson’s office is at 114 W. Neider Ave., near Costco. The website for more information is www.NWSleepDoc.com and the office phone is (208) 667-4551. Schedule a free consultation appointment today!