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PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review of recent literature pertains to the growing evidence that obstructive sleep apnea contributes to the development of systemic hypertension and congestive heart failure. RECENT FINDINGS: There is irrefutable evidence that OSA causes systemic hypertension and that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment of OSA causes a reduction in blood pressure. Moreover there is evidence that untreated OSA is associated with left ventricular diastolic and systolic failure and that treatment with CPAP improves systolic function. SUMMARY: OSA should be considered in patients with systemic hypertension or heart failure.
Matthew T. Naughton (Fri,) studied this question.