In Haikou, a young man s blood pressure frequently surged above 190 mmHg. Despite consulting multiple doctors and trying various treatments, he found no relief. Recently, he sought help at the Department of Cardiology at Hainan Chengmei Hospital, where specialists discovered the unexpected culprit: snoring.
Mr. Li, in his 30s, leads a stable and successful career, enjoying a leisurely lifestyle filled with drinking and gaming with friends. Over time, his indulgent habits and lack of exercise led to early-onset obesity.
Lately, Mr. Li often experienced dizziness and blurred vision. His blood pressure readings frequently soared above 190 mmHg, alarming his family.
After visiting multiple hospitals both within and outside the island, and trying numerous medications and traditional remedies, Mr. Li s blood pressure remained uncontrollable.
Referred by others, Mr. Li came to the Department of Cardiology at Hainan Chengmei Hospital for further diagnosis. Dr. Lin Xiaoming, the department head, attentively listened to Mr. Li s medical history and suspected an underlying issue. He recommended 24-hour blood pressure monitoring.
The results revealed that Mr. Lis blood pressure was higher at night than during the day, with significant morning spikes. This condition, known as "morning hypertension" or "non-dipping hypertension", deviates from the normal circadian rhythm of blood pressure.
By thoroughly examining Mr. Lis diet, daily routine, and sleep patterns, Dr. Lin found that he had a severely elevated body mass index and a long history of snoring. Even with a combination of three antihypertensive medications, his blood pressure remained uncontrolled.
The hospital s advanced sleep monitoring system ultimately identified the root cause: severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS).
Lin Xiaoming explained that obesity and snoring were the primary contributors to OSAHS and the uncontrollable hypertension. Additionally, Mr. Li s prolonged sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, irregular eating habits, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, insufficient sleep, and gaming-induced stress exacerbated the problem. These factors triggered a chain reaction, including increased adrenaline secretion, altered stress hormone rhythms, and insulin resistance, ultimately leading to OSAHS.
Studies show that OSAHS, characterized by repeated airway collapse or obstruction during sleep, results in apneas or hypopneas. During these episodes, blood oxygen levels drop, triggering the body s stress response. To restore oxygen levels, the heart and blood vessels work harder, causing blood pressure to rise.
OSAHS disrupts circadian rhythms, keeping nighttime blood pressure elevated. The repeated reduction in oxygen supply during sleep activates the sympathetic nervous system, increasing the secretion of stress hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline, further raising blood pressure.
Once the underlying cause was identified, Mr. Li s blood pressure was quickly brought under control.
Expert Recommendation
Lin Xiaoming warned that prolonged gaming and untreated OSAHS can lead to resistant hypertension, significantly increasing the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions.
Patients with similar symptoms should seek diagnosis and treatment at professional medical institutions to identify the root cause and adopt targeted management strategies.
After a confirmed diagnosis, patients should promptly adjust their lifestyle, such as limiting gaming time, avoiding prolonged sitting, maintaining regular meals, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, engaging in regular exercise, and practicing activities like reading and meditation. Weight loss or medical interventions to improve OSAHS are also essential.
Clinical practice shows that a combination of lifestyle modifications and medical interventions can effectively control hypertension and improve overall health.
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Text by | Liang Shan
Edited by | Huang Fei