Can Sleep Apnea Cause Heart Burn?

June 30, 2026 |

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment & Tips

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Key Takeaways

Sleep apnea and heartburn are closely linked, with nighttime breathing disruptions potentially worsening acid reflux.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy may help reduce both sleep apnea symptoms and nighttime heartburn.
Lifestyle changes, like adjusting sleep position and eating habits, can significantly improve both conditions.

If you suffer from both sleep apnea and heartburn, you are not alone. In fact, the two conditions may be more connected than you realized. Many people who have obstructive sleep apnea report that they also deal with nighttime acid reflux, or heartburn.¹ Understanding the connection between the two can help you manage symptoms effectively and improve your sleep quality.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea² is a common sleep disorder that is characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These pauses, called apneas, can occur numerous times each night. Many experience breathing disruptions dozens to hundreds of times.

The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), happens when throat muscles relax too much and temporarily block the airway. This can cause fragmented sleep, reduced oxygen levels, and loud snoring.

How Does CPAP Therapy Help Sleep Apnea?

CPAP therapy is the main treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea.³It works by providing a steady stream of air through a mask. The constant pressured air keeps the airway open while you sleep. This prevents the airway from collapsing.

Preventing airway collapse can help:

Reduce snoring
Reduce nighttime breathing interruptions
Improve oxygen flow
Promote deeper, more restorative sleep

Many CPAP therapy users notice improvements in related conditions, such as nighttime heartburn.

Link Between Sleep Apnea and Heartburn

How are sleep apnea and heartburn connected?

When you experience an apnea event, your body struggles to breathe, since your airway is blocked. This can create negative pressure in the chest, which pulls stomach acid up into the esophagus. This leads to acid reflux, or heartburn.

Sleep disruptions can weaken the function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that keeps stomach acid in place.
Poor sleep can increase inflammation, which can make digestive issues worse.
Lying flat while sleeping makes it easier for acid to travel upward into the esophagus.

Over time, untreated sleep apnea can contribute to chronic acid reflux, or GERD.⁴

Management Tips

There are a few things you can do to treat sleep apnea and reduce heartburn.

Lifestyle Changes

There are a few lifestyle changes that you can make to help reduce both sleep apnea and heartburn symptoms.

Lose excess weight to reduce pressure on the airway and abdomen.
Elevate your head while sleeping to prevent stomach acid from traveling upward.
Avoid eating 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.
Limit triggering foods like alcohol, spicy foods, fatty meals, and caffeine.
Sleep on your side instead of your back to improve airflow and reduce reflux.

Making small changes like these can make a noticeable difference in your comfort and sleep quality.

Try CPAP Therapy

HHave you been diagnosed with sleep apnea? Consistent CPAP therapy may reduce nighttime heartburn episodes.⁵ Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) stabilizes your airway and reduces breathing disruptions. This can help with heartburn by:

Decreasing the pressure changes that trigger acid reflux
Improving overall sleep quality
Supporting better digestive function overnight
Promoting deeper, more restorative sleep

Some users report significant relief from both apnea and reflux after starting CPAP therapy.

How The CPAP Shop Can Help You!

Managing sleep apnea and heartburn starts with having the right tools. That’s where The CPAP Shop can help you. You’ll find everything you need to stay consistent with your CPAP therapy at The CPAP Shop. Check out our high-quality CPAP machines, comfortable masks, and accessories. If you have questions, please contact our team of experts.

References

1. National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2022). Obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux: A review. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8980249/

2. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Sleep apnea. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8718-sleep-apnea

3. Kerr, P., Shoenut, J. P., Millar, T., Buckle, P., Kryger, M. H., & Dales, R. (1999). Nasopharyngeal reflux in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10194153/

4. Medical News Today. (n.d.). GERD and sleep apnea: What is the link? Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/gerd-and-sleep-apnea

5. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (n.d.). Study finds that CPAP therapy reduces acid reflux in people with sleep apnea. Retrieved from https://aasm.org/study-finds-that-cpap-therapy-reduces-acid-reflux-in-people-with-sleep-apnea/

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Chris Vasta

Chris Vasta is the president of The CPAP Shop and an expert in sleep and respiratory therapy. He often provides insights on product design and functionality on various manufacturers’ prototypes and is frequently tapped to provide reviews on new releases.