Sympathetic activity in obese subjects with and without obstructive sleep apnea

K Narkiewicz1, P J van de Borne, R L Cooley

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, USA.

Circulation
|September 4, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Obesity alone does not increase muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). However, occult obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in obese individuals significantly elevates MSNA, suggesting OSA is the primary driver of sympathetic activation in this population.

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