Sleep apnea is a serious sleep problem that interrupts a person’s breathing during their sleep. People with sleep apnea stop breathing or have shallow breathing during their sleep. This means the body and the brain do not get enough oxygen.
Each time a person with sleep apnea is startled awake by lack of oxygen during their sleep, the heart is stressed. This may lead to AFib. About half of patients with AFib also have sleep apnea. Preventing sleep apnea makes AFib treatments (medicine and surgeries) more effective.
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to problems like high blood pressure and diabetes, which in turn can lead to AFib. Long-term untreated sleep apnea can also cause problems with thinking and higher chance of accidents and stroke.