Sleep apnea is a condition that causes patients to stop breathing intermittently while they are asleep.

This means that the body is deprived of oxygen for a short period of time, and this can eventually cause damage to the heart. If not treated, sleep apnea can play a role in such heart diseases as hypertension, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and other arrhythmias. Any of these conditions lead to a greater risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Although it is difficult to diagnose any root cause of sleep apnea, the goal of treatment is always to keep your airways open during sleep. Dr. Altus performs examinations and orders tests as appropriate such as specific, non-invasive testing and recommend the best course of treatment. For example, the widely-used CPAP machine: a face mask that is hooked up to a steady flow of oxygen that keeps the airways open.