Your mother, who is 60 years old, experiences frequent snoring, headaches, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, and has a history of heart failure. These symptoms raise concern about the possibility of sleep apnea syndrome, which can increase the risk of stroke in individuals with underlying medical conditions.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where breathing pauses for more than 10 seconds during sleep, leading to a decrease in blood oxygen levels. This repetitive pattern of breathing pauses can result in sleep disturbances and micro-awakenings, causing fatigue and other symptoms.
Individuals with sleep apnea may experience airway obstruction, which decreases oxygen levels in the blood and can impact vital organs such as the brain, heart, and respiratory system. This lack of oxygen can also lead to cardiovascular events like heart attacks, strokes, and hypertension, especially during the night.
It is important to seek medical attention for your mother to determine if she has sleep apnea syndrome. Diagnostic techniques such as respiratory polygraphy can help identify this condition and other related health issues. Treatment should be tailored to her underlying heart failure and any other co-morbidities she may have to prevent complications and ensure her overall well-being.