Obstructive sleep apneas and hypopneas are characterized by intermittent and repetitive occlusion of the upper airway that limits the passage of air into the lungs during sleep.
The direct consequences of these episodes are repetitive decreases in blood oxygen saturation and transient and recurrent awakenings from sleep caused by increased respiratory effort, resulting in fragmented and non-restorative sleep.
Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAHS) is also accompanied by clinical manifestations, such as excessive daytime sleepiness, neuropsychiatric disturbances (depression, anxiety, impaired cognitive functions), metabolic, respiratory, cardiac and major cerebrovascular disturbances.
Sleep apnea also affects women
Sleep apnea affects both men and women. Its prevalence in adulthood is around 8% in men and 5% in women, however, there has been a greater tendency to associate this pathology to men.
The prevalence of sleep apnea increases with age. In people over 65 years of age the prevalence can reach 26% in men and 21% in women.
Sleep apnea is underdiagnosed in 80% of cases, especially in women.
Obesity, the main cause of sleep apnea
In both men and women, obesity is the main cause of sleep apnea: 84% of obese women suffer from this pathology. Likewise, and as in cases of apnea in men, sleep apnea is especially present in women who suffer from hypertension. Data collected by the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery show that 80% of women with hypertension are prone to sleep apnea.
In men the identifying features of sleep apnea are usually snoring and daytime sleepiness, whereas in women obesity, hypertension and mood swings are the main determinants of sleep apnea.
Consequences of sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease, increasing the risk of myocardial infarction and especially for cerebrovascular disease, increasing the risk of stroke.
Cardiac arrhythmias are four times more frequent in patients with sleep apnea and the presence of repeated apneas facilitates the occurrence of episodes of atrial fibrillation, with a consequent increase in the risk of stroke. The presence of sleep apnea of any severity increases the risk of suffering a stroke event or death from any cause by 2 times compared to people who do not have apnea.
Apnea is an important factor in developing high blood pressure and that 80% of people with high blood pressure are prone to sleep apnea.
The risks of apnea are more severe in women.
Although sleep apnea in women presents the same problems as in men, we know that in certain cases these risks may be greater in women. Their risk profile is different from that of men due to biological factors, especially during the fertile period and after menopause. In addition, women have a higher prevalence of arterial hypertension and atrial fibrillation, both of which are predominant factors in the onset of stroke. Sleep apnea in women increases the risk of stroke more than apnea in men.
Stroke is the leading cause of death in women. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics, almost 16,000 women died from stroke in 2016, which is more than double the number of deaths caused by breast cancer. We know that up to 90% of stroke cases in women are preventable.
Treating apneas reduces stroke risk
If you have symptoms of snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, unrefreshing sleep, mood swings and concentration problems, you may be suspected of having sleep apnea, you should go to a sleep unit for diagnosis.
The reference diagnostic test, considered as a standard pattern for the detection of apneas, is the nocturnal polysomnography (PSG), which is performed in these sleep units.
Diagnosis is very important to assess its presence, severity and to avoid repercussions on health. The treatment of apneas reduces the risk of stroke and cardiovascular problems, facilitates the control of arterial hypertension, reduces the appearance of cardiac arrhythmias and metabolic complications.