{"id":162,"date":"2019-10-18T21:26:45","date_gmt":"2019-10-18T21:26:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sleeprehab.com\/blog\/?p=162"},"modified":"2019-12-10T21:27:00","modified_gmt":"2019-12-10T21:27:00","slug":"obstructive-sleep-apnea-women-heart-attacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sleeprehab.com\/blog\/obstructive-sleep-apnea-women-heart-attacks\/","title":{"rendered":"Women with Sleep Apnea Have a Higher Risk for Heart Attacks"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SnoringWhile obstructive sleep apnea<\/a> tends to be more common in men, women are still at risk for the disorder \u2013 and in some ways it may be even more dangerous for them. Recent studies suggest that women who suffer from sleep-disordered breathing might be more likely to suffer life-threatening heart problems. Here\u2019s what you need to know about the importance of uninterrupted slumber when it comes to women\u2019s health.<\/p>\n

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What is Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n

When you have sleep apnea, you repeatedly stop breathing while you\u2019re asleep, which can happen numerous times each night and prevent you from getting a full rest. (The body is forced to wake up constantly to restart the flow of air.) The most common kind is obstructive sleep apnea, which involves the airway becoming physically blocked in some manner.<\/p>\n

How Many Women Have Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n

While sleep apnea is more common in men than women, the gap is not as large as was once believed. One study<\/a> shows that about 11% of women of all ages have a form of sleep apnea (compared to 27% for men). Notably, this number rose to 20% when looking solely at women who have reached menopause.<\/p>\n

What are the Health Risks of Sleep Apnea for Women?<\/h2>\n

Over time, obstructive sleep apnea can lead to heart attacks and other kinds of heart problems. This is largely due to the frequent decreases in oxygen putting a strain on your cardiovascular system. Research<\/a> performed by the Radiological Society of North American found that women who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea or snoring may suffer from cardiac problems earlier than men do. The same study also suggested that sleep apnea might be far more underdiagnosed than originally thought. If you think there\u2019s a chance you might be suffering from sleep apnea, it\u2019s far better to have it treated now rather than wait for problems to arise.<\/p>\n

How Do You Know If You Have Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n

Women with sleep might suffer from various symptoms, including:<\/p>\n