Waist-size and Sleep Apnea – A Connection But Not Direct Correlation

Common sense and some medical studies conducted in the past have lead to the general belief that people who are overweight and/or obese are more prone to suffer from a variety of health conditions, especially those dealing with cardiovascular health. We’ve all seen or read something that claims that those who are overweight are more likely to suffer from diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and even heart disease. And while it does make sense, a recently conducted study concluded that there is no solid correlation between being overweight and suffering from heart disease and that weight is not a meaningful value to take into consideration when predicting a patient’s cardiovascular risk.

While the study has definitely provided statistics that weren’t expected, health professionals alike want to remind people that while this study may have proved opposite of what the general consensus is, it is still extremely important to maintain a healthy body weight as obesity could still be a factor in determining whether or not one is more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease due to other consequential factors.

With this study in mind, it’s also important to remember that a larger waist also does not indicate with any certainty that a patient will suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), patients who are overweight may be more prone to suffering from the condition since excess fat stores within the neck can cause the airway to collapse. When the airway is obstructed, breathing becomes irregular and complete pauses in breathing often occur.

Whether you’re a star athlete or someone who is overweight, you could be suffering from sleep apnea. Don’t let your perfect or poor health determine whether or not you have sleep apnea or some other type of sleep disorder. For diagnosis, you’ll want to seek out a local sleep physician. If you are found to have sleep apnea, Dr. Berry is an excellent option for getting the sleep apnea treatment you need. Don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Berry online or call (303) 691-0267 today for more information.