Can Sleep Apnea Cause High Blood Pressure?
Yes—it can. In fact, untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the most common underlying conditions associated with high blood pressure (hypertension). Many people are surprised to learn that the quality of their sleep can have such a significant impact on their heart and blood vessels.
If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure—or if your blood pressure has been difficult to control despite medication—it may be worth asking whether sleep apnea is playing a role.
At Pacific Northwest Smiles, we help patients throughout Mill Creek and the surrounding communities understand how oral appliance therapy can be part of an overall treatment plan for obstructive sleep apnea.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much while you sleep, causing your airway to become partially or completely blocked.
Each time your airway closes, your breathing briefly stops. Your brain senses the lack of oxygen and wakes you just enough to reopen your airway. This cycle may repeat dozens—or even hundreds—of times each night, often without you remembering it.
Although these interruptions may only last a few seconds, they prevent your body from reaching the deep, restorative stages of sleep it needs.
How Does Sleep Apnea Affect Blood Pressure?
Every time your breathing stops during sleep, your oxygen levels temporarily drop.
In response, your body releases stress hormones like adrenaline to help restore breathing. This repeated “fight-or-flight” response causes your heart to work harder and your blood vessels to constrict.
Over time, these repeated episodes can contribute to:
- Elevated blood pressure during sleep
- High blood pressure during the day
- Increased strain on your heart
- Inflammation within your blood vessels
Instead of getting the restorative rest your cardiovascular system needs each night, your body is repeatedly placed under stress.
Why Does High Blood Pressure Matter?
High blood pressure often develops silently, without obvious symptoms.
When left untreated, it increases your risk for serious health conditions including:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease
- Vision problems
- Irregular heart rhythms
If obstructive sleep apnea is contributing to your high blood pressure, treating the underlying sleep disorder may become an important part of your overall health strategy.
Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea
Many people with sleep apnea don’t realize they have it until a spouse or family member notices their symptoms.
Common signs include:
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Pauses in breathing while sleeping
- Waking up gasping for air
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth upon waking
- Excessive daytime fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Falling asleep during the day
If these symptoms sound familiar, talk with your physician about whether a sleep evaluation is appropriate.
Can Treating Sleep Apnea Help Lower Blood Pressure?
For many patients, yes.
Research has shown that effectively treating obstructive sleep apnea may help improve blood pressure control, particularly in patients who consistently use their prescribed treatment.
Treatment options may include:
- CPAP therapy
- Weight management
- Lifestyle modifications
- Custom oral appliance therapy
While treatment doesn’t replace blood pressure medication when it’s needed, it may help reduce one of the contributing causes of hypertension.
Always follow the recommendations of your physician regarding blood pressure management.
Read out article comparing CPAP therapy vs. custom oral appliance.
What Is Oral Appliance Therapy?
Many people associate sleep apnea treatment with CPAP machines.
However, patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or those who have difficulty tolerating CPAP, may benefit from a custom oral appliance.
These appliances are worn while sleeping and gently reposition the lower jaw to help keep the airway open.
Benefits include:
- Small and comfortable
- Quiet
- Easy to travel with
- No electricity required
- Custom fitted specifically for your mouth
Learn more about our sleep apnea treatment options in Mill Creek.
Who Should Consider an Evaluation?
You should consider talking with your healthcare provider if you:
- Have high blood pressure that’s difficult to control
- Snore loudly
- Wake feeling exhausted despite a full night’s sleep
- Have been told you stop breathing during sleep
- Frequently wake with headaches
- Cannot tolerate your CPAP machine
- Feel sleepy throughout the day
The first step is obtaining a proper diagnosis from a qualified sleep physician. If you’re diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, Dr. Darren Greenhalgh can work with your physician to determine whether oral appliance therapy may be an appropriate treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can sleep apnea cause high blood pressure even if I’m healthy?
Yes. Even people who are otherwise healthy can develop high blood pressure related to untreated obstructive sleep apnea.
Does everyone with sleep apnea have high blood pressure?
No. However, obstructive sleep apnea is considered a significant risk factor for developing hypertension, and the two conditions commonly occur together.
Will treating sleep apnea cure my high blood pressure?
Not necessarily. High blood pressure often has multiple causes. Treating sleep apnea may improve blood pressure control for some patients, but you should continue following your physician’s treatment plan and never stop prescribed medications without medical advice.
Can a dentist treat sleep apnea?
Dentists do not diagnose sleep apnea, but after a diagnosis has been made by a sleep physician, they can provide custom oral appliance therapy for qualifying patients.
Read more in our article:
Can a Dentist Treat Sleep Apnea?
Is oral appliance therapy covered by insurance?
Many medical insurance plans provide benefits for oral appliance therapy prescribed for diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. Coverage varies by individual plan.
Healthy Sleep Supports a Healthy Heart
Good sleep is about much more than feeling rested. It plays an important role in your cardiovascular health, energy levels, and overall quality of life.
If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea—or suspect you may have it—effective treatment could help you sleep better while supporting your long-term health.
At Pacific Northwest Smiles, Dr. Darren Greenhalgh works closely with patients and their physicians to provide comfortable, custom oral appliance therapy for qualifying patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
If you’d like to learn whether oral appliance therapy may be right for you, contact Pacific Northwest Smiles or call (425) 357-6400 to schedule your consultation.