Sleep apnea and cardiovascular risk.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with several cardiovascular risk predictors that have only recently begun to be studied in detail. The strong association between OSA and hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and sudden cardiac death underscores its significant impact on cardiovascular health. This brief review considers the links between OSA and cardiovascular risk.

RECENT FINDINGS: OSA is an important contributor to endothelial dysfunction and damage, while repetitive hypoxia and hypercarbia contribute to autonomic dysfunction and sympathetic stimulation. In turn, these derangements have deleterious hematologic effects, including hypercoagulability and abnormal platelet aggregability, which are important in the pathogenesis of atherothrombotic disease.

SUMMARY: The varied deleterious effects of OSA on cardiovascular health stem from a unique 'perfect storm' of hypoxic oxidative stress, autonomic dysregulation, endothelial damage, and inflammation occurring at the microvascular level. Further research may disentangle these multiple etiologic threads and provide a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiological relationship between OSA and cardiovascular disease.