OSA and Hypertension

Abstract

The author comments on the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cardiovascular disease via sustained arterial hypertension. He refers to frequent nocturnal acute blood pressure (BP) rises and nocturnal sympathetic nervous system activation as mechanisms that enhance this association. He reviews a research study which examined the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on BP in patients with OSA.