A deviated septum and high blood pressure are common health conditions. This article explores their nature and clarifies any potential relationships.
Understanding Deviated Septum and High Blood Pressure
A deviated septum occurs when the thin wall of cartilage and bone, known as the nasal septum, separating the nasal passages is off-center or crooked. This misalignment can be present from birth or result from an injury to the nose. While up to 80% of the population may have some degree of septal deviation, not everyone experiences symptoms. For those who do, symptoms can include nasal obstruction, difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils, nosebleeds, and noisy breathing during sleep.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition where the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high. This persistent elevation can damage arteries over time and increase the risk of serious health problems, such as heart attack and stroke. A diagnosis of hypertension is typically made when blood pressure readings are consistently at or above 130/80 mmHg.
Direct Link: Is There One?
A deviated septum does not directly cause high blood pressure. While a severe deviation can lead to breathing difficulties, it does not directly impact the cardiovascular system or trigger physiological changes that elevate blood pressure.
Primary issues from a deviated septum relate to airflow and nasal function, causing reduced airflow, challenging breathing, and sometimes chronic sinus issues or nosebleeds. These effects on nasal breathing do not directly cause systemic blood pressure regulation issues.
The Indirect Connection: Sleep Apnea’s Role
While a deviated septum does not directly cause high blood pressure, it can contribute to or worsen a condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which, in turn, is strongly linked to hypertension. Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where a person experiences repeated episodes of partial or complete airway blockage during sleep. These blockages lead to pauses in breathing, often accompanied by snoring, gasping, or choking sounds.
A deviated septum restricts nasal airflow, making individuals more susceptible to OSA. This obstruction can encourage mouth breathing during sleep, altering throat airflow and potentially causing soft tissues to collapse. This increased resistance can worsen existing sleep apnea or contribute to its development.
OSA can lead to or worsen high blood pressure through several mechanisms. During apneic events, blood oxygen levels drop repeatedly, triggering brief awakenings. These events increase sympathetic nervous system activity, causing blood vessels to constrict and heart rate to increase, leading to nocturnal blood pressure spikes.
Furthermore, the repeated drops in blood oxygen and the stress on the body caused by OSA can lead to systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. These physiological changes can damage the inner lining of blood vessels, contributing to arterial stiffness and dysfunction, which are factors in the development and persistence of high blood pressure. The cumulative effect of these nocturnal blood pressure surges and chronic physiological stress can result in sustained high blood pressure during the daytime, even in individuals who previously had normal readings.
Diagnosis and Management
Diagnosing a deviated septum typically involves a physical examination of the nose. A healthcare provider will use a light and a nasal speculum to look inside the nostrils, assessing the position of the septum and its impact on airflow. They may also ask about symptoms like difficulty breathing, snoring, or frequent nosebleeds. In some cases, a fiber-optic nasal endoscopy might be performed for a more detailed view.
If sleep apnea is suspected, a sleep study, known as polysomnography, is the gold standard for diagnosis. This overnight test monitors various bodily functions, including brain waves, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and breathing patterns, to identify episodes of apnea or hypopnea. Home sleep apnea tests may also be used in certain situations.
Management approaches for these conditions often involve multiple strategies. For a deviated septum, mild symptoms can sometimes be managed with medications like nasal decongestants or steroid sprays. However, if the deviation significantly impairs breathing or contributes to other issues, surgical correction, called septoplasty, may be recommended. This procedure reshapes or repositions the septum to improve airflow.
For obstructive sleep apnea, common treatments include lifestyle changes such as weight management, and the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which delivers pressurized air to keep airways open during sleep. Oral appliances, similar to mouthguards, can also be used to reposition the jaw or tongue to maintain an open airway. Treating underlying sleep apnea can help manage associated high blood pressure. High blood pressure itself is managed through lifestyle modifications, including a healthy diet, regular exercise, and limiting alcohol, and often requires medication.