How Does Sleep Apnea Affect My Anesthetic?
Sleep apnea can have a significant impact on anesthesia. Sleep apnea is a condition in which your breathing stops and starts during sleep, leading to a decrease in the amount of oxygen in your blood. Sleep apnea can cause the following complications:
- Anesthesia Complications: You may be more sensitive to the effects of anesthesia, which can lead to complications such as low blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, and difficulty breathing.
- Respiratory Complications: Sleep apnea can make it more difficult for you to breathe on your own after surgery, increasing the risk of complications such as pneumonia, respiratory failure, and prolonged recovery.
- Cardiovascular Complications: Sleep apnea has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, and surgery can put additional stress on your heart and circulatory system, potentially leading to complications such as heart attack or stroke.
- Cognitive Impairment: You may experience more confusion, disorientation, and memory problems after surgery than an average patient.
If you have sleep apnea it is important to inform your healthcare providers before surgery so that appropriate precautions can be taken to reduce the risk of complications. Precautions may include additional monitoring, adjustment of medications, or the use of a CPAP device to help you breathe. If you use CPAP at home you should bring the device with you to the hospital.