BRIDGEPORT, CT, 2005, December 13, 2005 - Getting a good night's sleep just got easier with the opening of the new Sleep Center at St. Vincent's, according to Maureen Parmelee, Director of Respiratory Services for St. Vincent’s Medical Center.

Located at 2720 Main Street, one block from the hospital campus, the new St. Vincent's Sleep Center is equipped to diagnose a wide range of breathing disorders and other conditions experienced during sleep.

The St. Vincent's Sleep Center will be managed by SleepCare, a leading national provider of centers for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Robert Brown, MD, Chief of the St. Vincent's Division of Pulmonary Disease/Critical Care, is serving as Medical Director of the Sleep Center.

"The opening of the Sleep Center not only incorporates the most advanced monitoring and diagnostic technology, it also provides added comfort and convenience for patients. The convenient parking, comfortable new rooms and accessible location will enable us to expand our program and meet the growing demand for services," Dr. Brown said. "Patients can also expect very prompt scheduling and evaluation."

Estimates indicate that as many as 65 million Americans experience sleep disorders, particularly sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening disorder in which breathing is interrupted during sleep. Sleep apnea affects people of all ages, but is twice as common in men as in women. Studies have linked sleep apnea to high blood pressure, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, and irregular heartbeat.

At the Sleep Center of St. Vincent's, patients spend a night where they are monitored for sleep apnea and other disorders. The new facility includes four bedroom suites, bath and showers, and a comfortable lounge.

"Sleep apnea tends to be under-diagnosed and therefore goes untreated," Parmelee said. "While for most people, the condition may lead to a feeling of fatigue and tiredness, it can have very serious consequences and have a negative impact on a person’s lifestyle."

Parmelee says the most obvious symptom of sleep apnea is severe snoring, followed by a short pause and then snorting or gasping for breath. Cessation of breath must last for at least 10 seconds; though in many apneas, episodes can last as long as two minutes and reduce the level of oxygen in the blood. Other symptoms include daytime sleepiness and morning headaches.

Contact Information

For information on St. Vincent's Sleep Center, call the toll-free St. Vincent's CARE LINE at 1-877-255-SVHS (7847).

Additionally, you may visit the Sleep Center section of this website for more information.