Health
Untreated sleep apnea presents 'disruptive' dangers to people's lives, including heart issues, says expert
Esther Rodriguez Villegas, a professor at Imperial College London and founder of the London-based medical technology company Acurable, is sharing common health and well-being issues that can result from sleep apnea — a problem that can be disruptive for both sufferers as well as their loved ones.
One of these risks is cardiovascular disease. The sudden and frequent drops in blood oxygen caused by sleep apnea can “put a strain on the cardiovascular system and cause increased blood pressure,” Villegas told Fox News Digital in an interview.
“If symptoms persist over a long period of time, this increases the chances of serious cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks, strokes or abdominal aortic aneurysms, to name a few,” she said.
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The “potentially serious” sleep disorder known as sleep apnea causes breathing to stop and start repeatedly during sleep, according to Mayo Clinic’s definition.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one type of sleep apnea that occurs when “throat muscles relax and block the flow of air to the lungs,” Mayo Clinic explained on its website.
Sleep apnea can be a “potentially serious” sleep disorder, according to Mayo Clinic. (iStock)
Central sleep apnea (CSA) happens when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
And yet, while sleep apnea can affect anyone, certain factors such as excessive weight and thicker neck circumference, which can cause narrower airways, can increase the risk, according to Mayo Clinic.
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Older men are at a higher risk of sleep apnea, as well as those who consume alcohol, smoke or use sedatives or tranquilizers.
Increasing evidence suggests that the drops in oxygen are linked to years of reduction in life expectancy, the doctor noted.
The most common treatment for sleep apnea is the use of a CPAP machine that is worn as a mask. (iStock)
Diabetes can be another outcome of sleep apnea, as patients with type 2 diabetes have a “very high” prevalence of OSA, according to Villegas.
“Unfortunately, most don’t know they have obstructive sleep apnea, while recent evidence has demonstrated that untreated disease leads to significantly worse glycemic control — in other words, worse progression of their diabetes,” she said.
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Since sleep apnea “severely disrupts rest at night,” Villegas warned that the condition can impair energy and concentration levels during the day.
This can result in an increased risk of car accidents, according to the expert.
School or work performance can be at risk due to lack of daytime energy in sleep apnea sufferers, an expert said. (iStock)
“The statistics vary, but it is thought that in Europe, for example, untreated sleep apnea is the second leading cause of car accidents,” she said.
This lack of energy can also affect school or work performance, which can lead to disciplinary issues or accidents.
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“Children with sleep apnea are often found to underperform at school and are sometimes misdiagnosed with ADHD,” said Villegas.
“They are often labeled as aggressive or having behavioral issues, when in fact it is the result of untreated sleep apnea.”
Children are often misdiagnosed with ADHD due to “behavioral issues” caused by lack of sleep, an expert said. (iStock)
People with sleep apnea are also more likely to experience mental health issues, Villegas added, such as low mood, irritability, anxiety and depression.
Recognizing sleep apnea
A frequent symptom of sleep apnea is loud snoring, which is usually a clear warning sign for partners or family members in the home.
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But there are some hidden sleep apnea symptoms that could be overlooked, Villegas warned.
These can include waking up frequently at night; waking in the morning with a headache, dry mouth, or sore throat; or feeling fatigued, irritable or in a bad mood during the day.
Loud snoring is a frequent symptom of sleep apnea, but there are other less obvious symptoms that can be overlooked. (iStock)
Other sneaky symptoms of sleep apnea can include night sweats and erectile dysfunction, Villegas said.
Sleep apnea in children can show up as bad behavior, struggles at school, or sleeping in unusual positions, like with their neck extended.
Treating the condition
The most common treatment for sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which Villegas described as a “mask worn overnight that pushes pressurized air into the windpipe to keep it open while sleeping.”
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Alternative treatments include a variety of mandibular advancement devices (MADs), which hold the tongue and jaw in the correct position to prevent airway blockages.
While CPAP machines are a common treatment, making lifestyle changes can also improve or eliminate symptoms of sleep apnea, one expert said. (iStock)
Nose, throat and mouth surgery could also help correct these blockages, Villegas said, while tonsillectomies are common in children.
In many cases, lifestyle changes such as weight loss, reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking can improve or eliminate symptoms entirely, Villegas said.
Approximately 30 million people have sleep apnea in the U.S. — yet only six million are officially diagnosed, according to the American Medical Association.
For those who believe they may have sleep apnea, Mayo Clinic recommends seeking out a health care provider for examination and treatment.
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A popular class of weight-loss drugs may prevent life-threatening cardiac complications by opening microscopic blood vessels that often remain blocked after a heart attack, according to a study published this week in Nature Communications.
The research, led by the University of Bristol and University College London, identified a biological brain-gut-heart signaling pathway.
This discovery appears to explain how GLP-1 drugs — which mimic glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite — protect heart tissue from a condition known as “no-reflow.”
“In nearly half of all heart attack patients, tiny blood vessels within the heart muscle remain narrowed, even after the main artery is cleared during emergency medical treatment,” Dr. Svetlana Mastitskaya, the study’s lead author and a senior lecturer at Bristol Medical School, said in a press release.
“This results in a complication known as ‘no-reflow,’ where blood is unable to reach certain parts of the heart tissue.”
In nearly half of all heart attack patients, tiny capillaries (blood vessels) remain narrowed even after the main blocked artery is cleared. (iStock)
This lack of blood flow increases the risk of heart failure and death within a year. GLP-1 medications could prevent this, according to the researchers.
How it works
When the GLP-1 hormone is released in the gut or administered as a drug, it sends a signal to the brain, which then sends a signal to the heart that switches on special potassium channels in tiny cells called pericytes.
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When these channels open, the pericytes relax, which allows the small blood vessels (capillaries) to widen and improve blood flow to the heart muscle, the researchers noted.
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The new study used animal models and cellular imaging to track how GLP-1 interacts with heart tissue. When the researchers removed the potassium channels, the drugs no longer protected the heart — confirming they play a key role.
The findings suggest that existing GLP-1 medications, already used for type 2 diabetes and obesity, could be repurposed as emergency treatments. (iStock)
The findings suggest that existing GLP-1 medications, already used for type 2 diabetes and obesity, could be repurposed as emergency treatments during or immediately after a heart attack to reduce tissue damage.
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The researchers noted several limitations, including that the study relied on animal models.
Clinical trials are necessary to determine whether the brain-gut-heart pathway operates with the same timing and efficacy in humans.
While the study highlights the drug’s immediate benefits during a heart attack, it des not establish whether long-term use of these drugs provides a pre-existing level of protection. (iStock)
Additionally, while the study highlights the drug’s immediate benefits during a heart attack, it does not establish whether long-term use of the medication provides a pre-existing level of protection.
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The research was primarily funded by the British Heart Foundation.
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Collagen supplements have exploded in popularity, touted as everything from an anti-aging miracle to a muscle recovery booster.
But a sweeping new review conducted by U.K. researchers suggests that while collagen may help improve skin elasticity and ease arthritis pain, it does little for athletic performance or wrinkle reduction.
Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University analyzed 16 systematic reviews and 113 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 8,000 participants worldwide, which they say is the most extensive evaluation of collagen’s health effects to date.
The review found consistent evidence that collagen supplementation improves skin elasticity and hydration over time and provides significant relief from osteoarthritis-related joint pain and stiffness, according to findings published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum.
A large U.K. review found that collagen supplements may improve skin elasticity and hydration over time. (iStock)
The researchers, however, did not find meaningful improvements in post-exercise muscle recovery, soreness or tendon mechanical properties (strength, springiness and stretch resistance).
“Collagen is not a cure-all, but it does have credible benefits when used consistently over time, particularly for skin and osteoarthritis,” co-author Lee Smith, professor of public health at Anglia Ruskin University, said in a statement.
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“Our findings show clear benefits in key areas of healthy aging, while also dispelling some of the myths surrounding its use,” Smith added.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in the body, supports skin, bones, tendons, cartilage and connective tissue, according to experts. Natural collagen production begins to drop in early adulthood and declines more sharply with age.
The study found that collagen supplements may help reduce joint pain and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis. (iStock)
The review found that long-term collagen supplementation was linked to improved skin firmness and hydration, but did not help skin roughness — a proxy for visible wrinkles.
Benefits appear to accumulate gradually, suggesting that collagen should not be viewed as an “anti-wrinkle ‘quick fix,’ but as a foundational dermal support for individuals seeking holistic skin maintenance,” the researchers said.
“If we define anti-aging as a product or technique designed to prevent the appearance of getting older, then I believe our findings do support this claim for some parameters,” Smith told the BBC. “For example, an improvement in skin tone and moisture is associated with a more youthful-looking appearance.”
Collagen supplementation was linked to reduced pain and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis, with stronger benefits seen over longer periods of use, and showed modest improvements in muscle mass and tendon structure that may support healthy aging.
Collagen did not significantly improve skin roughness, a marker of visible wrinkles. (iStock)
However, it did not show meaningful results when used as a fast-acting sports performance supplement, and evidence for benefits related to cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and oral health was mixed or inconclusive.
Dr. Daniel Ghiyam, a California-based physician and longevity specialist, said the findings align with what he sees in clinical practice.
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“Collagen is a targeted support tool, not a foundation of health or performance,” Ghiyam, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. “When marketed that way, it makes sense. When marketed as a cure-all, it doesn’t hold up to the data.”
The authors noted that while many previous collagen studies have received financial support from the supplement industry, the current review did not receive industry funding.
Experts say collagen supplements may offer modest benefits for skin hydration and joint comfort, but they are not a cure-all. (iStock)
The team called for more high-quality clinical trials examining long-term outcomes, optimal dosages and differences between collagen sources, such as marine, bovine and plant-based alternatives.
Among its limitations, the review could not determine whether certain forms of collagen work better than others or what the optimal regimen should be.
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While the review included randomized controlled trials, the quality of the studies varied, with newer research generally showing stronger results.
Experts say more data and studies are needed to build on the findings. They also noted that diet plays a crucial role in skin health.
Collagen supplements, often sold as powders or pills, may improve skin elasticity and ease joint pain, experts say. (iStock)
Dr. Erum Ilyas, a Pennsylvania-based dermatologist and chair of dermatology at Drexel University College of Medicine, noted that the review analyzed previously published meta-analyses rather than generating new primary data.
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“At this time, I have not seen sufficiently strong independent evidence to routinely recommend collagen supplements to my patients,” Ilyas, who was not involved in the review, told Fox News Digital.
“Although some studies show modest improvements in markers such as hydration and elasticity, there remains limited independent, biopsy-confirmed evidence demonstrating sustained increases in dermal collagen content,” she added.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the researchers for comment.
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