Heart attack risk: 4 times higher in sleep apnea

Bad news: the heart attack feared by many people and the Sleep apnea are closely linked. Or to put it simply: poor sleep can lead to a heart attack in the long term. Why is that? 

Short and sweet:

• Due to the breathing interruptions and the constant lack of oxygen become Excessive strain on the heart and blood vessels.
• Various pathophysiological mechanisms are promoted, which lead to calcification of the coronary arteries and acute myocardial infarction. 
• If sleep apnea is present, there is an approximate 4-fold increased risk of suffering a heart attack.
• After a first successfully treated heart attack, sleep apnea patients also have a higher risk for further treatments. Who would like to experience this more than once?

Sleep apnea is not always solely responsible for the heart attack, it is often a combination of several factors. However, a targeted treatment of sleep apnea already eliminates an important factor in the development of heart attacks and one can concentrate on combating other risk factors.

To find out whether you are at risk of sleep apnea, the App Snorefox. With Snorefox, you can analyze your nocturnal breathing patterns at home with your own smartphone and receive a risk assessment the next morning. 

If you are at risk, this information gives you the opportunity to receive targeted treatment - and in turn reduce your risk of a heart attack.