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Sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease
Alexander G Logan1, T Douglas Bradley
1Mount Sinai Hospital, 435-600 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X5, Canada. logan@lunenfeld.ca
Current Hypertension Reports
|April 29, 2010
Summary
Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death. While sleep apnea is common in these patients, its long-term benefits and ideal treatments require further study through randomized controlled trials.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sleep Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of mortality in North America.
- Sleep apnea affects roughly 50% of CVD patients, elevating their cardiovascular risk.
- Current treatments like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) show short-term benefits, but long-term advantages are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the necessity of identifying new treatable conditions for improving cardiovascular disease outcomes.
- To assess the role of sleep apnea in cardiovascular disease and the efficacy of its treatments.
Main Methods:
- Review of current understanding of sleep apnea in cardiovascular disease.
- Discussion of existing treatments (CPAP) and emerging alternatives (adaptive servo-ventilation).
- Emphasis on the need for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to establish long-term benefits.
Main Results:
- The long-term benefits of continuous positive airway pressure for cardiovascular disease remain elusive.
- Alternative treatments for central sleep apnea are under investigation.
- Evidence is insufficient to recommend routine sleep apnea screening or treatment for asymptomatic cardiovascular disease patients.
Conclusions:
- Randomized controlled trials are essential to determine if treating sleep apnea improves survival and reduces cardiovascular disease risk.
- Current evidence does not support routine screening for sleep apnea in cardiovascular disease risk assessment.
- Treatment of sleep apnea is not currently recommended for preventing or managing cardiovascular disease in asymptomatic individuals.
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