Published ahead of print on April 12, 2007, doi:10.1164/rccm.200606-795PP
© 2007 American Thoracic Society doi: 10.1164/rccm.200606-795PP
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach to Nonsleepy Apnea1 "Spanish Group of Sleep Disorders" Sleep Lab, Hospital Clinic Provincial–IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain; 2 Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain; and 3 Hospital University Arnau de Vilanova, IRB Lleida, Facultad de Medicina, Lleida, Spain Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to Dr. J. M. Montserrat, M.D., Sleep Laboratory, Hospital Clinic Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain. E-mail: jmmontserrat{at}ub.edu ABSTRACT Epidemiological and observational studies suggest that sleep-disordered breathing is associated with the subsequent development of hypertension and ultimately with cardiovascular consequences. It may therefore be assumed that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) not only avoids sleep-related symptoms but could also mitigate cardiovascular consequences. Short-term studies have revealed a drop in blood pressure, especially in more severe, symptomatic cases of obstructive sleep apnea. Two recent studies have reported that nonsleepy obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an absence of reduced blood pressure after CPAP treatment. This suggests that this group of patients is less susceptible to the consequences of apneas, even those with mild–moderate hypertension or other cardiovascular disorders. However, in patients with severe cardiovascular disease or a higher number of obstructive events, CPAP treatment should be seriously considered.
Key Words: sleep-disordered breathing • symptoms • management and treatment • sleep apnea This article has been cited by other articles:
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