By Dr. David Goldstein

Sleep disorders and heart disease are not uncommon bedfellows. Untreated sleep disorders can interfere with the heart, and heart disease can disturb sleep. Sleep disorders have been linked to cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. Cardiovascular disease is a general term for diseases of the heart or blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease.

Sometimes heart disease is a cause of poor sleep. For example, people with heart failure sometimes wake up at night with trouble breathing, which stems from fluid buildup in the lungs. There’s also evidence that heart failure leads to central sleep apnea, a breathing problem in the brain’s respiratory center that can awaken a sleeper many times at night. Some people have nocturnal angina (chest pain), which can interrupt sleep. Bouts of atrial fibrillation or palpitations (the sensation of a racing or pounding heart) can also disturb sleep. According to a recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, a good night’s sleep boosts the benefits of a healthy lifestyle on the heart. Researchers found that not smoking, regular exercise, a healthy diet, and moderate alcohol consumption protects against cardiovascular disease. However, they also found sufficient sleep (defined as 7 or more hours per night) further increases the heart benefits of these four traditional healthy lifestyle habits.

We are usually not aware of our breathing and movements while sleeping and may never think to talk to our doctors about issues that might be related to sleep problems. Yet, sleep disorders often can be treated, improving our heart and overall health. Make an appointment with your doctor if you snore regularly or feel very tired while at work or school most days of the week. You should also tell your doctor if you often have trouble falling or staying asleep, or if you wake up too early and aren’t able to go back to sleep. These are common signs of a sleep disorder.

Your doctor may be able to diagnose a sleep disorder based on your sleep schedule and habits. However, sometimes the results of a sleep study are needed to diagnose a sleep disorder. Sleep studies are tests that measure how well you sleep and how your body responds to sleep problems. These tests can help your doctor find out whether you have a sleep disorder and how severe it is.

Don’t let sleep problems keep you up at night. A good night’s sleep is a necessity for better cardiovascular and general well being.

Dr. Goldstein is medical director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at Raritan Bay Medical Center’s Old Bridge location. The state-of-the-art diagnostic Center provides the highest quality care for adults and children under the direction of board-certified sleep physicians. To schedule a consultation, call 732-360-4255, or take the sleep quiz at www. rbmcsleepcenter.org to see if you could benefit from a sleep study.