Discover expert insights on should you be tested for sleep apnea a crucial step for your heart h. Professional advice and tips from LA Mattress Store to impr...
Most people who have sleep apnea don't know it. They wake up tired, blame stress or a bad mattress, and move on. Meanwhile, their breathing stops dozens — sometimes hundreds — of times each night.
Sleep apnea is common, underdiagnosed, and genuinely worth taking seriously. Here's what it is, why it matters, and how to figure out if you should get tested.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder where the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing brief pauses in breathing. These pauses can last 10 seconds or longer and may happen dozens or hundreds of times per night.
Each interruption partially wakes the brain, even if you don't remember it. Your sleep never reaches the deep, restorative stages you need — and your body registers each pause as a stress event, spiking heart rate and blood pressure in response.
You might have sleep apnea if you regularly experience any of these:
Many people dismiss these symptoms as normal tiredness. They're not always — especially when they're persistent.
This is where sleep apnea becomes more than a sleep nuisance.
Research shows a strong association between sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease. Studies have found that a significant portion of people with heart conditions — estimates range from 40% to 80% — also have undiagnosed sleep apnea.
The mechanism makes sense: every time breathing stops, blood oxygen levels drop. The body responds with a stress surge — heart rate climbs, blood pressure spikes. Do this dozens of times a night, every night, and the cumulative strain on the cardiovascular system adds up.
Sleep apnea has been linked to:
If you already have a heart condition and haven't been screened for sleep apnea, it's worth asking your doctor about.
Consider talking to your doctor about a sleep study if:
You don't need all of these. Even one or two persistent symptoms is a reasonable reason to bring it up.
There are two main options:
You spend a night at a sleep clinic where sensors monitor your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and brain activity. It's the most comprehensive option and can detect other sleep disorders too.
A simplified device — usually worn on the wrist or finger — that monitors breathing and oxygen while you sleep in your own bed. It's less comprehensive but easier, more affordable, and sufficient for diagnosing straightforward obstructive sleep apnea.
Your doctor can help determine which option is appropriate for your situation.
If you're diagnosed with sleep apnea, several effective treatments exist:
Sleep apnea requires medical treatment — a good mattress won't cure it. But the right sleep setup can reduce contributing factors and improve overall rest.
If you have sleep apnea or suspect you might:
Our team at any of our LA showrooms can help you find a setup that works with — not against — your sleep health goals.
Yes. Snoring is common with sleep apnea, but not universal. Some people have significant apnea with minimal snoring. If you have other symptoms — daytime fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, waking with headaches — it's still worth discussing with a doctor.
Over time, yes. Untreated sleep apnea increases risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. It also contributes to chronic daytime fatigue, which affects cognitive function and increases accident risk.
For some people, significant weight loss reduces or resolves sleep apnea. But it's not guaranteed, and it depends on the underlying cause. Treat sleep apnea medically while working on lifestyle changes — don't wait to see if weight loss alone fixes it.
Describe your symptoms specifically: how often you snore, whether a partner has noticed breathing pauses, how you feel in the morning, and how fatigued you are during the day. Ask directly: should I be screened for sleep apnea?
A mattress can't treat sleep apnea, but sleeping on your side (which a good pressure-relieving mattress supports) may reduce the frequency of apnea episodes. An adjustable base that elevates your head can also help with mild cases.
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