Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night with an uncomfortable pressure in your chest? Or perhaps you’ve experienced mysterious chest discomfort that seems to be worse after a poor night’s sleep?
If you’re nodding along, you might be wondering if there’s a connection between your sleep issues and chest pain. As sleep specialists, we frequently hear this question from concerned patients.
The short answer? Yes, sleep apnea can indeed cause chest pain. But understanding why and how this happens requires a deeper look at what’s going on in your body during those nighttime breathing interruptions.
What Exactly Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Each pause can last from a few seconds to minutes and may occur 30 times or more per hour. These disruptions prevent your body from getting enough oxygen and can severely impact your sleep quality.
There are different types of sleep apnea, but obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common. This happens when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much, narrowing or completely blocking your upper airway during sleep. Your brain senses this inability to breathe and briefly rouses you from sleep so you can reopen your airway—often with a gasp or choking sound that you might not even remember in the morning.
How Sleep Apnea Leads to Chest Pain
When you’re experiencing sleep apnea episodes, your body goes through significant stress. As your breathing stops, oxygen levels in your blood drop. Your heart works harder to pump what little oxygenated blood is available. Your brain triggers a “fight or flight” response, causing blood pressure spikes and flooding your system with stress hormones.
Over time, these repeated episodes of oxygen deprivation and cardiovascular strain can manifest as chest pain. This pain might feel like a dull, aching pressure in the center of your chest. Sometimes it presents as sharp, stabbing pain that might radiate to your neck or shoulders. Other patients describe a burning sensation similar to heartburn, as sleep apnea can also exacerbate acid reflux. Many experience generalized discomfort that’s worse in the morning.
It’s worth noting that chest pain from sleep apnea can sometimes mimic the symptoms of a heart attack, which is why it should never be ignored. The relationship between sleep apnea and heart problems is well-established—untreated sleep apnea increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and irregular heartbeats.
The Deviated Septum Connection
Many patients are surprised to learn that structural issues in their nose can contribute to both sleep apnea and chest pain. One common culprit? A deviated septum.
Your nasal septum is the thin wall of bone and cartilage that separates your nostrils. When this septum is off center or crooked (deviated), it can create an imbalance where one nasal passage is smaller than the other.
Does a deviated septum cause sleep apnea directly? While it’s not always a straightforward cause-and-effect relationship, there’s definitely a connection. A deviated nasal septum can create nasal obstruction, leading to difficulty breathing through your nose. This often results in increased mouth breathing, which relaxes the throat muscles. The nasal congestion and resistance to airflow create noisy breathing during sleep.
When your nasal passages are partially blocked, you’re more likely to develop or exacerbate sleep apnea symptoms. This happens because the additional airway resistance forces you to work harder to breathe, creating negative pressure that can collapse your upper airway during sleep.
For some patients, chronic nasal congestion from a deviated septum can lead to a cycle of poor sleep, increased stress on the cardiovascular system, and yes, chest pain. The constant struggle to breathe properly through the night puts extra strain on your heart, potentially causing that uncomfortable pressure or pain you feel in your chest.
Signs You Should Talk to a Sleep Specialist
If you’re experiencing chest pain along with any of these sleep apnea symptoms, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a sleep medicine specialist:
- Loud snoring (often reported by a bed partner)
- Episodes where you stop breathing during sleep (again, usually noticed by someone else)
- Gasping or choking that awakens you
- Morning headaches
- Excessive daytime sleepiness despite a full night’s sleep
- Dry mouth upon waking
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
- Irritability or mood changes
- High blood pressure that’s difficult to control
You might also consider if you have any deviated septum symptoms, such as breathing that’s noticeably easier through one nostril than the other. Many patients with deviated septums experience frequent sinus infections and noisy breathing, especially during sleep. Facial pain or pressure, nosebleeds, and post-nasal drip are other common signs of a deviated nasal septum that might be affecting your sleep quality.
Diagnosing the Problem
To properly diagnose sleep apnea, your doctor will likely recommend a sleep study. This can be done in a specialized sleep center or sometimes at home with portable monitoring devices. During the study, equipment will monitor your breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and brain activity while you sleep.
If your doctor suspects a deviated septum might be contributing to your breathing difficulties, they’ll perform a physical exam of your nasal passages, possibly using a nasal speculum to get a better view of the nasal cavity. In some cases, they might recommend imaging tests like a CT scan to get a detailed look at your nasal structure.
Treatment Options: Breathing Easier and Sleeping Better
The good news is that both sleep apnea and deviated septum issues can be effectively treated, often resolving the associated chest pain. For sleep apnea, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy involves wearing a mask over your nose or mouth while you sleep. The machine delivers a constant flow of air that keeps your airway open. It’s the gold standard treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea.
Lifestyle changes can also make a significant difference. Losing weight, avoiding alcohol before bedtime, quitting smoking, and sleeping on your side can all help reduce sleep apnea symptoms. Some patients benefit from oral appliances that reposition the jaw or tongue to help keep the airway open during sleep.
For addressing a deviated septum, several approaches can help. Nasal steroid sprays can reduce inflammation and help improve nasal airflow. Decongestant sprays, used short-term, can provide temporary relief of nasal congestion. Nasal strips help open nasal passages and can improve breathing for mild cases.
For severe cases, an outpatient procedure called septoplasty can correct the deviated septum and improve nasal airflow. While this surgery doesn’t always cure sleep apnea, it can significantly reduce symptoms and make other treatments like CPAP more effective. Many patients find they breathe easier and sleep better after having their septum corrected.
Taking Control of Your Sleep and Health
If you suspect sleep apnea might be causing your chest pain, there are proactive steps you can take. Talk to your doctor about a sleep evaluation to determine if a sleep study is appropriate. Try a deviated septum self-test by gently pressing one nostril closed and breathing through the other, then switching sides to see if there’s a noticeable difference.
Improve your sleep hygiene by maintaining a regular sleep schedule and creating a comfortable sleep environment. Consider using nasal saline sprays to manage symptoms of nasal congestion. Elevating your head slightly when sleeping can reduce airway collapse and might help both with sleep apnea and the nasal breathing difficulties associated with a deviated septum.
Remember, while chest pain can be alarming, identifying and treating the underlying sleep disorder can make a tremendous difference. Many patients report that after addressing their sleep apnea, not only does their chest pain improve, but they also experience better energy levels, improved mood, and better overall health.
When to Seek Immediate Help
While sleep apnea-related chest pain often improves with proper treatment, it’s important to know when chest pain requires immediate medical attention. Seek emergency care if your chest pain is severe or crushing. Don’t wait if the pain lasts more than a few minutes or spreads to your jaw, left arm, or back. If chest pain comes with shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, or nausea, these could be signs of a heart attack, which requires immediate medical intervention.
Breathing Better for Better Sleep
The connection between sleep apnea, deviated septum issues, and chest pain demonstrates just how interconnected our body systems truly are. Breathing difficulties during sleep can cascade into cardiovascular problems, leading to that uncomfortable chest pain that might be keeping you up at night.
The good news is that with proper diagnosis and treatment, you can breathe easier, sleep better, and wake up without that worrisome chest discomfort. If you’re concerned about sleep apnea or have questions about how nasal issues might be affecting your sleep, reach out to our sleep center. We’re here to help you navigate the path to restful, pain-free sleep.
Remember, good sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for your health and wellbeing. Don’t let sleep apnea or a deviated septum stand between you and the restorative rest you deserve.
