Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The Relation between Sleep Apnea and High Blood Pressure

As declared by Mayo Clinic research findings, individuals suffering from obstructive sleep apnea are at high risk for developing blood vessel impairment. The impairment in blood vessels may eventually cause a heightened blood pressure level and heart disease. The study was conducted in alliance with University of Iowa researchers. During the study endothelial function of obese individuals was compared with the control group. The study critically reflects on the fact whether there is any significant relation between sleep apnea and high blood pressure.

Insight of the Study

The endothelium is damaged as a result of few health complications such as diabetes, high cholesterol, congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. Sleep apnea can also cause damage to the endothelium structure. The study further suggested, while coining evidence from previous studies, that while the endothelial impairment is caused by high blood pressure and other related health complications, the impairment in endothelium can lead to blood pressure elevation as well.

The study further suggested that even the other factors like high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure may not be present; sleep apnea may independently cause endothelial impairment. Hence, the study argued that sleep apnea may promote a long-term possibility for developing endothelium damage, high blood pressure and heart disease. So, sleep apnea and high blood pressure have an indirect, however causal relationship between them.

Summary of the Findings

Obstructive sleep apnea and high blood pressure have strong correlation. In addition, the presence of untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of heart failure, hence the rate of mortality. While the relation between sleep apnea and high blood pressure is quite evident, the mechanism governing the association is still not clear. The individuals suffering from obstructive sleep apnea show an increased degree of sympathetic drive during their wakefulness, which may even be progressed further at the time they are sleeping.

The individuals with sleep apnea experience severe recurrent hypoxemic stress when they sleep. In addition to this stress, they also experience reflexive sympathetic activation and subsequently distinct increase in blood pressure level. The occurrence of hypoxemic stress, reflexive sympathetic activation and an increased blood pressure level may lead to endothelial impairment, while posing a possible threat for developing cardiovascular disease in recent future.

Possible Treatment Suggested

Since the study results confirmed that elimination of risk factors contribute to the restoration of endothelial function, the researchers concluded that the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea may possibly bring the same effect. The treatment of hypertension and high blood pressure improves the condition of endothelium. Hence, it may be possible to find out the treatment line that will be able to remove the nightly blood pressure barbs and oxygen deficiency caused by obstructive sleep apnea.

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