[Cardiovascular diseases and sleep-disordered breathing]

About 1.9 % of the population suffer from an obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). At the age of between 30 and 60 years it occurs in 3 %. Patients with OSAS develop more frequently such disorders as arteriosclerosis, cardiac arrhythmias and arterial hypertension. A host of pathophysiological changes can be diagnosed. The elevated sympathic activity, recurrent hypoxemias, stress, disturbances in the microvascular milieu, endothelial dysfunction, elevated oxidative capacity as well as a reduced vascular reagibility are deemed to be factors connected to arteriosclerosis. Different biochemical markers, which are seen as risk factors or as markers of cardiovascular diseases, are altered in patients with OSAS (high-sensitive CRP, Interleukin(IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha, VGEF, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and L-Selectin). Patients with OSAS exhibit signs of an impaired insulin sensitivity. Disturbances in microcirculation are also evident. Patients with OSAS have, compared to patients without sleep apnea, elevated blood pressure measurements, even given other common risk factors. The incidence of coronary heart diseases is increased in patients with OSAS. Morbidity and mortality, especially of arteriosclerotic diseases are elevated. Many of the aforementioned disturbances can be improved by a CPAP-therapy.