Q If I have sleep apnea, will I develop high blood pressure too?
A Yes. About 50% of sleep apnea patients also have high blood pressure. When the sympathetic nervous system is over-activated by night-time apnea, blood pressure rises, making it a major cause of treatment-resistant hypertension.
Detailed Answer
The Link Between Sleep Apnea and High Blood Pressure
A vicious cycle repeats: apnea during sleep, then reduced blood oxygen, then sympathetic nervous system activation, then a rise in blood pressure. In particular, if your blood pressure is high right after waking in the morning, sleep apnea should be suspected.
- Treatment-resistant hypertension (uncontrolled despite taking 3 or more medications): 70-83% have accompanying OSA
- An average reduction of 2-3 mmHg in blood pressure has been reported after sleep apnea treatment
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective — Phlegm-Rheum and Ascendant Liver Yang
At Dongjedang, when phlegm-dampness intensifies, we also treat the pattern in which Liver Yang (ganyang) surges upward and raises blood pressure (phlegm-rheum plus ascendant Liver Yang). If you are taking blood pressure medication, please share your medication information and we will reflect it in your prescription.
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