Still feel tired after a long night’s sleep? It could be a sign of sleep apnea, a sudden nighttime breathing obstruction that doctors associate with heart disease, arrhythmia, high blood pressure and even sudden death.

Sleep apnea is most often caused by anatomy, says Les Szekely, MD, Penn Sleep Center at the Pavilion at Doylestown Hospital, and Bucks County Medical Associates. As the airway relaxes, the tongue, soft palate, uvula or tonsils can create a throat obstruction. Breathing stops for 30 seconds or more, causing the person to wake with a gasp before falling back to sleep.

This leads to lowered levels of oxygen, which causes adrenaline bursts and elevated blood pressure. All put additional strain on the heart. While doctors aren’t sure how these directly correlate with an increased risk of heart disease, the two are closely associated.

An overnight sleep study can determine the presence of sleep apnea. During the study, doctors monitor a patient’s breathing, oxygen levels, heart pattern and brain activity. Most sleep apneas can be treated with a “CPAP” mask that’s worn at night to create enough pressure when you inhale to keep the airway open. Less successful treatments include surgery, weight loss and oral appliances that move the jaw forward.

Sleep apnea often goes unnoticed. If you snore and don’t feel refreshed after seven or more hours of rest, talk to your physician or call the Pulse Line at 215-345-2121 to learn more about the Penn Sleep Center at Doylestown Hospital.