Picture this, you and your partner have been dating for a few years. You finally get to a space where you both agree to live with each other. The decision to live with your partner can be a huge deal. You plan on having your life together and finally get to experience your first night of rest together and you realize the love of your life vibrates the entire house with snoring. While this may be a comical thing to banter over at dinner, it can be the result of some serious underlying issues. This snoring can be caused by atrial fibrillation or even sleep apnea which should be taken seriously.
Atrial fibrillation vs. sleep apnea
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm that can lead to blood clots in the heart.
Sleep apnea is when your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you are sleeping. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you should be tested for sleep apnea.
Both of these disorders increase the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.
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Typically, people with sleep apnea experience a blockage in the airway, or restricted breathing, for 10 seconds or longer during sleep. The condition can range from mild to severe, based in part on the number of times each hour you stop breathing.
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Risks Of Sleep Apnea
If you speculate that your partner may be experiencing sleep apnea here are some signs to look out for:
- Excess weight
- Narrowed airway
- Chronic nasal congestion
- High blood pressure
- Smoking and alcohol use
- Gender
- Age
People with sleep apnea are also four times more likely to develop atrial fibrillation than those who don’t. On the other side, about 50% of
