- Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, particularly heart failure, a study found.
- The severity of obstructive sleep apnea was significantly associated with higher levels of high-sensitivity troponin, suggesting that subclinical myocardial injury may play a role in the association with risk of heart failure.
OSA
Apnea: ‘Sleeping Gun’ in Sudden Death?
After adjustment for other risk factors, each 10% decrease in the lowest nocturnal oxygen saturation among adults undergoing a first-time polysomnogram for suspected sleep-disordered breathing was associated with a 14% greater risk of sudden cardiac death or resuscitated cardiac arrest (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.27), according to Virend Somers, MD, PhD, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and colleagues.
Sleep factors associated with a significantly greater likelihood of remaining free from sudden cardiac death or resuscitated cardiac arrest included an apnea-hypopnea index of less than 20 events per hour (HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.14-2.24), a mean nocturnal oxygen saturation of 93% or higher (HR 2.93, 95% CI 1.98-4.33), and a lowest nocturnal oxygen saturation of 78% or higher (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.28-2.56), the researchers reported online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
via Apnea: ‘Sleeping Gun’ in Sudden Death
Yes. CPAP compliance matters.
Artery Damage Seen in Sleep Apnea
People with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have subclinical arterial disease on par with that seen in patients with diabetes, researchers found.
Patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea have endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness, similar to patients with diabetes mellitus.
via Artery Damage Seen in Sleep Apnea.
Small study with some interesting findings.
Bad Sleep Tied to Cognitive Decline
Medical News: Bad Sleep Tied to Cognitive Decline – in Meeting Coverage, AAIC from MedPage Today.
Sleeping too little or too much, abnormal breathing during sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness all were significantly associated with cognitive impairment — years later in some cases.
Neurocognitive Impairment in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Declining Kidney Function Increases Prevalence of Sleep Apnea
Conclusions: Sleep apnea is common in patients with CKD and increases as kidney function declines. Almost 50% of patients with CKD and ESRD experience nocturnal hypoxia, which may contribute to loss of kidney function and increased cardiovascular risk.
via Declining Kidney Function Increases the Prevalence of Sleep Apnea and Nocturnal Hypoxia.
Prevalence of Diagnosed Sleep Apnea Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Primary Care
Prevalence of Diagnosed Sleep Apnea Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Primary Care.
Conclusions: Primary care providers under diagnose OSA in patients with T2DM.
Up to 90% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Think about that.
Cardiovascular Mortality in Women With OSA
Conclusion: Severe OSA is associated with cardiovascular death in women, and adequate CPAP treatment may reduce this risk.
Severe OSA = Brain Damage
Brain Damage Seen in People With Severe Sleep Apnea – BusinessWeek
Hey, it’s only the cerebral cortex where your information processing occurs.
It’s only your CPU that loses gray matter.
Small sample, just 36 men. Yeah, go ahead and skip the CPAP tonight.

CPAP May Reduce Excess Mortality in Stroke Patients with OSA
CPAP May Reduce Excess Mortality in Stroke Patients With Sleep Apnea
A new study confirms that stroke patients who have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have a higher mortality risk than those without this condition and suggests that the successful use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy can reduce this excess risk.

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