Sleep Apnea Linked to Night Heart Attacks

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Several studies have shown a link between sleep apnea and cardiac problems, said Dr. Allan Pack, director of the sleep center at the University of Pennsylvania. The largest, done several years ago, followed thousands of individuals. "It showed that people with sleep apnea who refused treatment had a three- to fourfold increased risk of cardiac events," Pack said.

What the new study adds is "a relative difference in the timing of cardiac events," he said. In clinical practice, if someone has a heart attack in the night, "you would strongly suspect sleep apnea," Pack said.

If tests detect sleep apnea, there is an effective treatment available that can reduce the risk of future cardiac events, he said. Continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) keeps airways open continuously by pushing air into the lungs through a face mask.

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"It might be cumbersome, but it is effective," Pack said.

More information

Learn about the symptoms and treatment of sleep apnea from the American Sleep Apnea Association.

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