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Is This Common Sleep Disorder Causing Your AFib?

Exhaustion. Brain fog. Weight gain. Headaches. Irritability. You may have shared these symptoms with your doctor and been told that you have depression. Instead, you might be one of the 80 percent of the population living with undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. If you have AFib, your odds of developing sleep apnea are even higher. You won’t want to sleep through this one! 

What is obstructive sleep apnea?

Do you walk through life feeling like you are never well-rested, no matter how much you sleep? If so, you may be one of the 936 million adults worldwide who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This common disorder causes a person’s airway to become blocked during sleep.

Sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues in the nose, mouth, and back of the throat collapse. When this occurs, air cannot flow in and out of the lungs, resulting in frequent pauses of breathing, also called apnea. Individuals with sleep apnea rarely get the restorative sleep needed for health.

How do I know if I have sleep apnea? 

Those with OSA often experience disrupted sleep, and many don’t even know it. Chronic snoring is the hallmark symptom of sleep apnea, though snoring is not the only indicator of disease. Other signs include: 

  • Daytime fatigue
  • Sudden or startled awakening from sleep
  • Disrupted breathing while sleeping
  • Waking with a sore throat or dry mouth 
  • Morning headaches
  • Mood changes, such as anxiety, depression, or irritability 
  • Concentration difficulty 
  • Decreased sex drive 

What causes sleep apnea?

The most significant risk factor for sleep apnea is obesity. Extra weight around the neck can cause compression of the upper airway. Just a 10 percent gain in weight is associated with a six-fold increased risk of sleep apnea. Unfortunately, the relationship between OSA and obesity is cyclical. The additional weight contributes to sleep apnea, and sleep apnea then contributes to weight gain. 

Other risk factors for sleep apnea include smoking, alcohol use, or airway abnormalities such as enlarged tonsils. In addition, there is evidence that OSA may have some genetic components, and older males are more prone to OSA than females. 

The gold standard for diagnosing OSA is a sleep study test called a polysomnogram (PSG). This test, typically conducted overnight in a sleep lab, monitors sleep cycles, oxygen levels, and vital signs to determine an OSA diagnosis. 

Sleep apnea and the heart 

Oxygen is life, and depriving the body can create many problems. The decreased oxygen levels that occur due to obstructive sleep apnea result in more than just morning grogginess. 

Sleep apnea has detrimental effects on the heart. The lack of oxygen that occurs at night causes an increase in blood pressure as the body tries to compensate. According to research, OSA increases the risk of heart failure by 140 percent, stroke by 60 percent, and coronary heart disease by 30 percent.

For some, sleep apnea also impacts the lungs, contributing to pulmonary hypertension or high blood pressure in the lungs’ blood vessels. If left untreated, pulmonary hypertension can lead to heart failure. 

AFib and sleep apnea

The relationship between sleep apnea and abnormal heart rhythms, such as AFib, is well established. A 2020 study of patients with atrial fibrillation found that nearly 83 percent also had sleep apnea. The same researchers found that those with more advanced OSA had more severe AFib symptoms. 

While it’s not entirely clear if sleep apnea causes AFib directly, increasing evidence suggests a possible link. Lower levels of oxygen, increased inflammation, and changes in chest pressure could all cause changes to the heart that contribute to AFib. Regardless of the cause, it’s abundantly clear that sleep apnea affects AFib. Individuals with both conditions are more likely to experience additional episodes of AFib compared to those who don’t have OSA. 

How do I treat sleep apnea?

As with all diseases, it’s best to identify the root cause and start there. By doing this, you not only treat the condition but could actually cure it. If you have a modifiable risk factor for OSA, begin by eliminating the risk. For example, if you are obese or carry excess weight around the neck, you should focus efforts on losing those extra pounds. If sinus congestion contributes to your sleep apnea, you may consider lowering inflammation by changing your diet. Other lifestyle changes include eliminating tobacco or alcohol. 

The most common treatment for sleep apnea is a positive airway pressure device. These machines use pressure to keep the airway open with a mask, thus allowing air into the lungs. The most common is the continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP.  

Other treatments of sleep apnea include:

  • Oral appliances – Similar to an orthodontic retainer or bite guard, these appliances help hold the jaw or tongue in place and prevent them from obstructing the airway.
  • Positional therapy – Many individuals eliminate apnea by adjusting their sleeping position. As opposed to on the back, sleeping on one’s side is sometimes enough to fix the problem. Raising or supporting the head, such as with a wedge pillow, is often a successful remedy.
  • Upper airway stimulator – This small device, surgically implanted in the chest, sends electrical signals to the nerve that controls the tongue. The gentle stimulation pushes the tongue forward and keeps it from blocking the airway.
  • Surgery – In severe cases of OSA that don’t respond to other therapies, surgery is sometimes considered. This last-resort option addresses abnormalities of the body, such as extra tissue in the throat.

Can CPAP make AFib worse? 

While CPAP is used by over 8 million people each year, many struggle with compliance with this cumbersome device. Additionally, new research is calling into question the effectiveness of CPAP as a tool to lower cardiac complications. For example, a recent report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found little evidence to prove that CPAP reduces the rates of stroke, heart attack, or other cardiovascular problems, including death. 

So the question remains: Does CPAP reduce the risk of AFib? While some research illustrates the positive benefits of CPAP for heart problems, not all experts agree. For example, a 2021 study examined the relationship between CPAP and atrial fibrillation and concluded that the use of the device did not reduce or prevent AFib. 

As with all medical interventions, there are risks to using a CPAP machine, and some of those risks could worsen AFib symptoms. To make the CPAP more comfortable to use, the air is heated and moistened, creating a welcoming environment for organisms such as fungus, yeast, and mold. There have been cases where individuals have become ill from their CPAP machine. As mold and other microorganisms are sometimes the cause of AFib, it is possible that CPAP could make your AFib worse. 

Address the cause, heal the problem

The link between sleep apnea and AFib is indisputable. The two work hand in hand to destroy health. Quality sleep is essential for the heart, giving your systems a chance to rest and repair. Sleep apnea withholds life-giving oxygen from the body, setting off a whole host of health problems, possibly including AFib.

The good news is that many of the things you can do to heal sleep apnea may also help AFib. Weight loss, dietary changes to reduce inflammation, and ensuring that the air you breathe is clean, are all strategies to minimize the risk of both conditions. Our bodies are designed for optimum health given the right conditions.

Next steps

It’s important to get a clear picture of your sleep quality. As mentioned above, the symptoms of sleep apnea aren’t always obvious. Consider a test such as the WatchPat One Sleep Test, the first and only disposable home sleep apnea test that provides immediate access to sleep data for interpretation. Getting your sleep right is a huge step toward your 100 Year Heart — make it a priority.

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Medical Review 2022: Dr. Lauren Lattanza NMD

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About Dr. Lauren Lattanza NMD, FACC

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Dr. Lauren Lattanza Fees

20 Minute Virtual Call: $250

Initial In-Person Appointment:

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As a Naturopathic Physician, I am trained to treat the whole person and get to the root cause of disease.

I went to Arizona State University where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a depth in physiology and minor in Spanish. After my undergraduate degree I was working on prerequisite classes towards medical school, which is when I came to learn that my values identified best with the principles of naturopathic medicine. I knew that I wanted to help patients identify the causes of disease and be able to offer treatments which would improve their health rather than simply treating symptoms.

I dedicated the next 4 years to the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona where I attained my Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine. I served as Class President all 4 years, Board of Trustees – Student Trustee, spoke as the Club President for our branch of Toastmasters, and was voted by my peers and attending physicians to earn the Outstanding Leadership Award for the Class of 2020. Throughout medical school I took it upon myself to work alongside MDs, DOs, chiropractors, and functional medicine practitioners in addition to naturopathic physicians.

As a Spanish speaking student, I was able to volunteer with community clinics around Phoenix and provide free healthcare to low-income families. Due to this combined exposure, I came to find my passion in treating cardiometabolic and digestive disorders that are all too common, yet largely preventable. I took the opportunity to learn the broad spectrum of healthcare so I can ensure that I am able to provide my patients with the best options.

About Dr. Jack Wolfson DO, FACC

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Dr. Jack Wolfson Fees

30 Minute Virtual Call: $1500

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Dr. Jack Wolfson is a board-certified cardiologist, Amazon best-selling author, husband, father, and the nation’s #1 Natural Heart Doctor.

For more than two decades, more than one million people have enjoyed the warmth, compassion, and transformational power of his natural heart health courses and events.

Dr. Wolfson is the founder of Natural Heart Doctor Scottsdale, his heart health practice in Arizona, and Natural Heart Doctor, an online resource center with natural health information. Doctors from across the globe reach out to Dr. Wolfson for training and education in holistic health practices.

He has been named one of America’s Top Functional Medicine Doctors and is a five-time winner of the Natural Choice Awards as a holistic M.D. Dr. Wolfson’s work has been covered by more than 100 media outlets, including NBC, CNN, and the Washington Post. His book “The Paleo Cardiologist: The Natural Way to Heart Health” was an Amazon #1 best-seller.

Dr. Wolfson and his wife Heather have four children and are committed to making the world a better place to live. They provide for those in need (including animals) and support natural health causes through their philanthropic efforts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

I’d like to receive an online second opinion from Natural Heart Doctor. What do I do next?

You can initiate a second opinion online through our website at any time. To begin, select the team member you’d like to speak with and open an account.

Click here for cardiologist Dr. Jack Wolfson.

Naturopathic Medical Doctor Dr. Lauren Lattanza. Get details.

Naturopathic Medical Doctor Dr. Tonia Rainier. Get details.

Click here for  Natural Heart Doctor Health Coach.

Alternatively, you can email health@naturalheartdoctor.com. A member of our care team will help guide you through the process of starting a second opinion.

What is the cost of a Natural Heart Doctor Online Second Opinion?

The cost for most second opinions varies by team member. This fee includes information collection, a phone or video consultation, a second opinion from a Natural Heart Doctor specialist and guidance throughout the process from your personal Care Team at Natural Heart Doctor.

Cardiologist Dr. Jack Wolfson’s Second Opinion Fee is $1500.

Holistic Physician’s Dr. Lauren Lattanza’s Second Opinion Fee is $250.

Naturopathic Physician Dr. Tonia Rainier’s Second Opinion Fee is $250.

Note: We apply the Online Second Opinion Call fee as a credit to any future consultations with Natural Heart Doctor, should you choose them.

Will my insurance cover the cost of a Natural Heart Doctor Online Second Opinion?

Most likely, no. Most health plans do not cover online second opinions or consultations. You are responsible for the cost of our second opinion. Natural Heart Doctor cannot file a claim with your insurance carrier, nor can we provide a procedure (CPT) code for this service.

What is the timeline to receive an online second opinion?

We do our best to schedule your second opinion as quickly as possible. Typically, it takes 5 to 7 business days after your information has been collected to receive your phone or video online second opinion.

What information do you need in advance of our call?

Our office will send you a short questionnaire to complete and return. We DO NOT need your complete medical records.

How many questions can I ask the expert during our call?

You may ask a maximum of five questions. This is to ensure that the expert has sufficient time to devote to each question. All questions must be finalized before your online meeting.

What should I expect to receive once my second opinion is complete?

You will receive a summary of our discussion along with our second opinion. The second opinion will be in written form. After you have reviewed the second opinion, a Natural Heart Doctor clinician will follow up with you by phone to address general medical questions about the information provided in the second opinion.

What if I have follow-up questions for the expert after I have reviewed my second opinion?

If you have a clarifying question about an expert’s response to one of the questions in your second opinion, and the Natural Heart Doctor clinician is unable to address it, then you may request a follow up session for an additional fee. 

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Natural Heart Doctor is strongly committed to protecting the privacy and security of all our patients. Our website meets all federal requirements for protecting personal health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). All financial transactions are processed by Natural Heart Doctor securely using industry standard payment processing tools.

I would rather visit Natural Heart Doctor for an in-person appointment. What should I do next?

If you would prefer an in-person appointment at Natural Heart Doctor instead of an online second opinion, please call (480) 535-6844 for details and scheduling.

Can I schedule a follow up appointment with the specialist who provided my online second opinion?

Yes, we’re happy to help you on an extended basis. Our clinician can discuss options with you when presenting our second opinion summary.