Dual Sleep Disorders Increase Heart Burden

SadaNews - A large study conducted by researchers at Yale University School of Medicine has revealed that the combination of insomnia with obstructive sleep apnea may significantly increase the risk of developing hypertension and heart diseases much more than previously believed.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, relied on analyzing data from nearly one million American veterans after the events of September 11, concluding that individuals suffering from both disorders face a higher risk compared to those who have only one of them.

Insomnia and sleep apnea are typically treated as separate conditions; insomnia makes sleep difficult or fragmented, while obstructive sleep apnea causes frequent interruptions in breathing during the night.

However, researchers note that having both together, known as COMISA, does not just mean the co-occurrence of two symptoms, but an interaction that may increase the burden on the cardiovascular system.

Why is the heart affected?

During healthy sleep, the body gets a "reset" time for blood pressure, pulse, and vascular functions. When sleep becomes fragmented due to frequent awakenings or breathing interruptions, the heart loses this vital period of rest, which can gradually lead to hypertension, disruption of the nervous system balance responsible for stress response, and increased chronic stress on the heart and vessels.

Prevention Starts with Sleep Assessment

The team believes that addressing sleep disorders should be part of early prevention of heart diseases, not a "secondary issue" left until after complications arise.

Researchers also emphasized the importance of evaluating insomnia and sleep apnea together instead of treating each condition in isolation, as ignoring one may reduce treatment efficacy and leave the risk persistent.

If an individual experiences ongoing difficulty sleeping or frequent awakenings, along with loud snoring or nighttime choking or excessive daytime sleepiness, it may be important to seek early medical sleep evaluation, as improving sleep could serve as an additional "line of defense" to protect the heart in the long term.