In a nutshell
This study examined the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in hypertensive patients and the risk of cardiovascular disease. The authors concluded that patients with hypertension and OSA are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Some background
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) refers to airways becoming completely or partially blocked during sleep. The symptoms of OSA include snoring, night sweats, and waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat. This condition can reduce the flow of oxygen to the organs and may lead to an irregular heartbeat. OSA is particularly common in patients with hypertension. Patients with hypertension have a higher resting blood pressure than the body needs. Both OSA and hypertension are identified as risk factors for cardiovascular complications (such as heart attacks, strokes and heart failure). More studies are needed to understand the effect of OSA and hypertension on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Methods & findings
1,889 participants were included in this study. All participants were tested for hypertension, OSA, and CVD. 59.1% of participants had hypertension. CVD was defined as coronary heart disease, stroke, artery tears, or swelling of blood vessels in the heart. The rates of CVD in patients with both hypertension and OSA was examined.
Severity of OSA was significantly greater in patients with hypertension. Risk factors associated with OSA included body mass index (a measure of body fat that takes weight and height into account), neck width, and waist-to-hip ratio. These were all more commonly observed in hypertensive patients.
The risk of CVD was 81% higher in patients with hypertension and without OSA compared to participants without hypertension. The risk of CVD risk increased 2-fold for patients with hypertension and mild OSA. CVD risk was 83% higher among patients with hypertension and moderate-to-severe OSA.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that patients with both OSA and hypertension are at increased risk of developing CVD.
Published By :
Medicine
Date :
Sep 01, 2016
