According to a analyzed done by researchers in Tel Aviv Israel, it was discovered that half of the patients who were diagnosed with essential hypertension, ironically also had obstructive sleep apnea.



On top of all the other difficulties that are associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, you might just be wondering what exactly it is essential hypertension.

Many times hypertension can be traced back to live in a carefree lifestyle, such as too much alcohol, stress, smoking etc. however with essential hypertension, this is not the case.

In light of the many difficulties that arise from sleep disorder breathing such as OSA, a possible link between hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea should be of particular interest to you.

The definition of essential hypertension, given by MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, is a situation where an individual has high blood pressure with no identifiable cause.

The Hypertension and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Tango

The study suggested that there is a growing accumulation of evidence that points to the clear fact that hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea go hand-in-hand.

That half of the patients who had obstructive sleep apnea, had hypertension as well. Also those that had hypertension, reportedly were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea.

What does this mean to you?

Blood as it moves through the body's network of arteries and veins, is similar to the water flowing through a garden hose, because as it flows through the arteries it exerts pressure against the artery walls

Though the research pointed out that there are many patients who did not have high blood pressure, 80 to 90% of people with obstructive sleep apnea have not been tested for high blood pressure or they were undiagnosed.

What is hypertension?

Your heart creates the pressure that causes the flow of blood throughout your body, the pressure exerted against your artery walls, can be scientifically measured to determine whether the pressure is within safe limits

The diastolic blood pressure reading is usually the measurement that comes after the systolic pressure. An example would be 120/80 which is considered a normal blood pressure reading and does not indicate hypertension..

The systolic blood pressure reading, as the force against your artery walls when the heart contracts.

It is important to remember when you have you blood pre. You're given the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure. 120/80mmgg is considered a normal systolic/diastolic blood pressure reading. High blood pressure or hypertension, is when you're systolic/diastolic pressure is consistently above 140/90 mmgg.

This study drives home the point that if you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, many find that they also need to be treated for essential hypertension.

In order to be able to know whether or not you suffer from elevated blood pressure levels then you have to monitor your systolic/diastolic pressure, you do this by either consulting with your primary care physician, which you should do anyway, and ongoing daily monitoring which you can do from home with a blood pressure monitoring unit.

however it is becoming increasingly evident that essential hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea Even if you go to your primary care physician and the determination is made to put you on blood pressure medicine, it is still wise to continue to watch closely your blood pressure regularly to determine the effectiveness of your prescription.

According to this study on hypertension and sleep apnea, and more recent studies further confirming the cardiovascular effects of apneas during sleep, it is hugely important that if you have diagnosed sleep apnea to keep a close eye on your blood pressure levels.