| Connect & Subscribe |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The following is a visitor-submitted question or story. For more, you can submit your own sleep story here, or browse the collection of experiences and questions other visitors have shared here.
Response to “Sleep Apnea 'Mask' Might Also Help the Heart”
by Anonymous S&D
(CA)
Sleep apnea, defined as “cessation of breathing for 10 or more seconds during sleep,” is estimated to exist in almost one-fifth of all adults in United States (Dement, William C. The Stanford Sleep Book, 2002 and Storrs, Carina. “Sleep Apnea ‘Mask’ Might Also Help the Heart.” HealthDay.). Shortly after the discovery of sleep apnea 1965, the disorder was linked to cardiovascular disease (Dement, William C. 282). About 50 years later, studies confirming this relationship continue to be published in the Journal of the American Medical Association: Storrs reports that recent research in Spain has demonstrated that treatment of sleep apnea is “tied to” lower risk for high blood pressure (Storrs, Carina). The article reports that people who used continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) more than four hours per night were found over the course of eleven years to have a 29% less likelihood of developing high blood pressure than individuals not receiving treatment.
These results are not at all that surprising, and the article acknowledges this fact by citing Harvard Medical School professor Dr. Stuart Quan. Dr. Stuart Quan states that the studies only reinforce his understanding that treating sleep apnea reduces the risk of high blood pressure: "… these studies do not affect my way of thinking about this" (Storrs, Carina). Five years ago, Dr. William C. Dement pointed out in “The Stanford Sleep Book,” published in 2006, that “Up to 70 percent of patients with high blood pressure suffer from obstructive sleep apnea" (Dement, William C. 356).
Interestingly, Storrs ends her article negating the establishment of causation: the article concludes, “While the study uncovered an association between CPAP use and reduced risk of developing high blood pressure, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship” (Storrs, Carina). A link between sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease has existed for almost half a century. While increased evidence in support of this relationship is valuable, groundbreaking insight may lie in the discovery of the underlying cause for the correlation.
Subscribe To Our RSS Feed
About This Site
Welcome! This site is continuously being created by students of Dr. William C. Dement's Sleep And Dreams course at Stanford University.
We made this site as a call to action for people all over the world to live healthier, happier, safer, and more productive lives by learning about their own sleep. We have faith that reading the information provided on this site will motivate you to be smart about your sleep deprivation and strategic about your alertness in order to live life to your fullest, most energetic potential.
In fact, we challenge you to do so! What do you say, are you up for the challenge?
Interviews With Sleep Specialists: Insights Into the Worlds of Sleep Medicine & Sleep Business
America's Most Dangerous Disorder: What Is Sleep Apnea Doing To Your Sleep?
Sleep Debt: How Much More Will You Achieve When You Reduce Yours?
The Stages Of Sleep: The Journey Through The Night
Delayed Sleep Phase: You Want To Sleep But You're Not Tired Yet
Paralyzed at Night: Is Sleep Paralysis Normal?
Sleep In Words: Smart, Strange, and Funny Quotes About Sleep
Sleep Disorders In Children: What's Keeping Your Child From A Full Night's Rest?
Attacks of Pavor Nocturnus (a.k.a. Sleep Terrors, Night Terrors, or Incubus Attacks)
A Note On Visitor-Submitted Questions:
Publishing sleep stories and questions from our visitors is meant to create a forum for open and proactive dialogue about an extremely important portion of our lives (one that occupies 1/3 of it and affects the other 2/3) that isn't talked about enough. It is not meant to substitute a trip to the doctor or the advice of a specialist. It's good to talk; it is not good to avoid consulting someone who's profession it is to help you with this kind of stuff.
If you are in any way concerned about your sleep health, don't wait for an answer on here, and don't necessarily rely on them. See a sleep specialist in your area as soon as possible.
The Stanford Sleep Book
Dr. Dement's pioneering textbook has been the core text for Sleep and Dreams since 1980, but it has just recently been made available to the wider public for the first time.
In it you'll find a more detailed account of the most important things you need to know about sleep, alertness, dreams, and sleep disorders. Studies, statistics, plus plenty of Dr. Dement's classic anecdotes painting the history of sleep medicine.
Preface | Intro | Contents | Get A Copy
More Sleep Resources
The Zeo
A revolution in personal sleep tracking, the Zeo is a wireless headband that transmits your brainwaves in realtime to a dock (pictured here) or your smartphone. The result? You can wake up and see exactly what stages of sleep you were in during the night! Unprecedented personalized sleep knowledge.
Sleep Paralysis: A Dreamer's Guide
Ever woken up paralyzed? A surprising number of us have, believe it or not. But few know the actual causes of this phenomenon, and fewer still how to exert control over it. Dream researcher and sleep paralysis expert Ryan Hurd shares breakthrough insights into how to do just that.
Important Disclaimer
Please Note:
The information found on this page and throughout this site is intended for general information purposes only. While it may prove useful and empowering, it is NOT intended as a substitute for the expertise and judgments of healthcare practitioners.
For more info, see our
Terms of Use.