Sleep apnea identified as key risk factor for atrial fibrillation

Sleep apnea is being highlighted as a significant, often underestimated trigger for atrial fibrillation. In Germany, an estimated 1.5 to 2 million people live with atrial fibrillation, while sleep apnea affects approximately 30 percent of men and 13 percent of women.

Medical experts note that the repeated cessation of breathing during sleep acts as a physiological stressor. Each apnea event can trigger adrenaline release and rapid heartbeat, increasing the risk that short-term rhythm irregularities develop into permanent arrhythmia.

Sleep apnea is characterized by the temporary narrowing or closure of soft tissues in the throat, leading to oxygen drops in the blood. Common treatments include CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) masks to keep airways open, or surgical interventions. Under certain conditions, patients in Germany may also qualify for a degree of disability status (GdB) due to the condition.