Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Current Cardiology Reports 2/2020

01-02-2020 | Sleep Apnea | Hypertension (DS Geller and DL Cohen, Section Editors)

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Hypertension, and Cardiovascular Risk: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management

Authors: Liann Abu Salman, Rachel Shulman, Jordana B. Cohen

Published in: Current Cardiology Reports | Issue 2/2020

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Given the rising prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), we aimed to review the epidemiologic and pathophysiologic relationship of OSA, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, and to summarize recent advances in the treatment of OSA.

Recent Findings

OSA is associated with an elevated risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Several pathophysiologic factors contribute to the relationship between OSA and vascular risk, including neurohormonal dysregulation, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation. While CPAP reduces blood pressure, it has not been demonstrated to reduce cardiovascular risk. The combination of CPAP and weight loss has a synergistic effect on blood pressure and several metabolic parameters. Adherence to CPAP is poor across studies, potentially contributing to the attenuation of perceived cardiovascular benefit from CPAP therapy.

Summary

A greater emphasis on adherence to CPAP and the combination of CPAP and weight loss are central to reducing cardiovascular risk among individuals with OSA.
Literature
1.
go back to reference • Kapur VK, Auckley DH, Chowdhuri S, Kuhlmann DC, Mehra R, Ramar K, et al. Clinical practice guideline for diagnostic testing for adult obstructive sleep apnea: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. J Clin Sleep Med. 2017;13(3):479–504. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.6506 Clinical practice guideline on the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, favoring the use of polysomnography for diagnosis. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral • Kapur VK, Auckley DH, Chowdhuri S, Kuhlmann DC, Mehra R, Ramar K, et al. Clinical practice guideline for diagnostic testing for adult obstructive sleep apnea: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. J Clin Sleep Med. 2017;13(3):479–504. https://​doi.​org/​10.​5664/​jcsm.​6506 Clinical practice guideline on the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, favoring the use of polysomnography for diagnosis. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
2.
go back to reference Kryger MH. Sleep apnea. From the needles of Dionysius to continuous positive airway pressure. Arch Intern Med. 1983;143(12):2301–3.CrossRef Kryger MH. Sleep apnea. From the needles of Dionysius to continuous positive airway pressure. Arch Intern Med. 1983;143(12):2301–3.CrossRef
14.
go back to reference •• Hou H, Zhao Y, Yu W, Dong H, Xue X, Ding J, et al. Association of obstructive sleep apnea with hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Glob Health. 2018;8(1):010405. https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.08.010405 A systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrating the cross-sectional increased prevalence of hypertension in OSA as well as the prospectively increased risk of new onset hypertension in OSA. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral •• Hou H, Zhao Y, Yu W, Dong H, Xue X, Ding J, et al. Association of obstructive sleep apnea with hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Glob Health. 2018;8(1):010405. https://​doi.​org/​10.​7189/​jogh.​08.​010405 A systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrating the cross-sectional increased prevalence of hypertension in OSA as well as the prospectively increased risk of new onset hypertension in OSA. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
15.
go back to reference • Strausz S, Havulinna AS, Tuomi T, Bachour A, Groop L, Makitie A, et al. Obstructive sleep apnoea and the risk for coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes: a longitudinal population-based study in Finland. BMJ Open. 2018;8(10):e022752. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022752 A population-based cohort study of 36,963 individuals in Finland followed up to 25 years, demonstrating that OSA is an independent risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease, diabetes, and diabetic chronic kidney disease. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral • Strausz S, Havulinna AS, Tuomi T, Bachour A, Groop L, Makitie A, et al. Obstructive sleep apnoea and the risk for coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes: a longitudinal population-based study in Finland. BMJ Open. 2018;8(10):e022752. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1136/​bmjopen-2018-022752 A population-based cohort study of 36,963 individuals in Finland followed up to 25 years, demonstrating that OSA is an independent risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease, diabetes, and diabetic chronic kidney disease. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
28.
go back to reference Young T, Peppard P, Palta M, Hla KM, Finn L, Morgan B, et al. Population-based study of sleep-disordered breathing as a risk factor for hypertension. Arch Intern Med. 1997;157(15):1746–52.CrossRef Young T, Peppard P, Palta M, Hla KM, Finn L, Morgan B, et al. Population-based study of sleep-disordered breathing as a risk factor for hypertension. Arch Intern Med. 1997;157(15):1746–52.CrossRef
38.
go back to reference • Korcarz CE, Peppard PE, Young TB, Chapman CB, Hla KM, Barnet JH, et al. Effects of obstructive sleep apnea and obesity on cardiac remodeling: the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort Study. Sleep. 2016;39(6):1187–95. https://doi.org/10.5665/sleep.5828 A prospective study of individuals with OSA, demonstrating that higher apnea-hypopnea index is associated with reduced left and right ventricular function. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral • Korcarz CE, Peppard PE, Young TB, Chapman CB, Hla KM, Barnet JH, et al. Effects of obstructive sleep apnea and obesity on cardiac remodeling: the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort Study. Sleep. 2016;39(6):1187–95. https://​doi.​org/​10.​5665/​sleep.​5828 A prospective study of individuals with OSA, demonstrating that higher apnea-hypopnea index is associated with reduced left and right ventricular function. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
44.
go back to reference Hedner J, Ejnell H, Sellgren J, Hedner T, Wallin G. Is high and fluctuating muscle nerve sympathetic activity in the sleep apnoea syndrome of pathogenetic importance for the development of hypertension? J Hypertens Suppl. 1988;6(4):S529–S31.CrossRef Hedner J, Ejnell H, Sellgren J, Hedner T, Wallin G. Is high and fluctuating muscle nerve sympathetic activity in the sleep apnoea syndrome of pathogenetic importance for the development of hypertension? J Hypertens Suppl. 1988;6(4):S529–S31.CrossRef
50.
go back to reference • Khalyfa A, Zhang C, Khalyfa AA, Foster GE, Beaudin AE, Andrade J, et al. Effect on intermittent hypoxia on plasma exosomal micro RNA signature and endothelial function in healthy adults. Sleep. 2016;39(12):2077–90. https://doi.org/10.5665/sleep.6302 An in vitro study in ten men demonstrating an association between intermittent hypoxia and serologic markers of endothelial dysfunction. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral • Khalyfa A, Zhang C, Khalyfa AA, Foster GE, Beaudin AE, Andrade J, et al. Effect on intermittent hypoxia on plasma exosomal micro RNA signature and endothelial function in healthy adults. Sleep. 2016;39(12):2077–90. https://​doi.​org/​10.​5665/​sleep.​6302 An in vitro study in ten men demonstrating an association between intermittent hypoxia and serologic markers of endothelial dysfunction. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
55.
go back to reference Ohike Y, Kozaki K, Iijima K, Eto M, Kojima T, Ohga E, et al. Amelioration of vascular endothelial dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome by nasal continuous positive airway pressure--possible involvement of nitric oxide and asymmetric NG, NG-dimethylarginine. Circ J. 2005;69(2):221–6.CrossRef Ohike Y, Kozaki K, Iijima K, Eto M, Kojima T, Ohga E, et al. Amelioration of vascular endothelial dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome by nasal continuous positive airway pressure--possible involvement of nitric oxide and asymmetric NG, NG-dimethylarginine. Circ J. 2005;69(2):221–6.CrossRef
61.
68.
go back to reference Hu X, Fan J, Chen S, Yin Y, Zrenner B. The role of continuous positive airway pressure in blood pressure control for patients with obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2015;17(3):215–22. https://doi.org/10.1111/jch.12472.CrossRef Hu X, Fan J, Chen S, Yin Y, Zrenner B. The role of continuous positive airway pressure in blood pressure control for patients with obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2015;17(3):215–22. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1111/​jch.​12472.CrossRef
70.
71.
74.
go back to reference Barbe F, Duran-Cantolla J, Sanchez-de-la-Torre M, Martinez-Alonso M, Carmona C, Barcelo A, et al. Effect of continuous positive airway pressure on the incidence of hypertension and cardiovascular events in nonsleepy patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2012;307(20):2161–8. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2012.4366.CrossRefPubMed Barbe F, Duran-Cantolla J, Sanchez-de-la-Torre M, Martinez-Alonso M, Carmona C, Barcelo A, et al. Effect of continuous positive airway pressure on the incidence of hypertension and cardiovascular events in nonsleepy patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2012;307(20):2161–8. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1001/​jama.​2012.​4366.CrossRefPubMed
77.
go back to reference •• McEvoy RD, Antic NA, Heeley E, Luo Y, Ou Q, Zhang X, et al. CPAP for prevention of cardiovascular events in obstructive sleep apnea. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(10):919–31. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1606599 A randomized controlled trial of 2717 adults with moderate-to-severe OSA and a prior history of cardiovascular disease, which demonstrated that CPAP plus usual care did reduce the risk of cardiovascular events compared with usual care alone. CrossRefPubMed •• McEvoy RD, Antic NA, Heeley E, Luo Y, Ou Q, Zhang X, et al. CPAP for prevention of cardiovascular events in obstructive sleep apnea. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(10):919–31. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1056/​NEJMoa1606599 A randomized controlled trial of 2717 adults with moderate-to-severe OSA and a prior history of cardiovascular disease, which demonstrated that CPAP plus usual care did reduce the risk of cardiovascular events compared with usual care alone. CrossRefPubMed
80.
82.
go back to reference •• Yu J, Zhou Z, McEvoy RD, Anderson CS, Rodgers A, Perkovic V, et al. Association of positive airway pressure with cardiovascular events and death in adults with sleep apnea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2017;318(2):156–66. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.7967 A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of CPAP compared with controls with regard to the development of cardiovascular events and death. The meta-analysis demonstrated that CPAP did not reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes or death compared with controls. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral •• Yu J, Zhou Z, McEvoy RD, Anderson CS, Rodgers A, Perkovic V, et al. Association of positive airway pressure with cardiovascular events and death in adults with sleep apnea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2017;318(2):156–66. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1001/​jama.​2017.​7967 A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of CPAP compared with controls with regard to the development of cardiovascular events and death. The meta-analysis demonstrated that CPAP did not reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes or death compared with controls. CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
84.
go back to reference Loube DI, Loube AA, Erman MK. Continuous positive airway pressure treatment results in weight less in obese and overweight patients with obstructive sleep apnea. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997;97(8):896–7.CrossRef Loube DI, Loube AA, Erman MK. Continuous positive airway pressure treatment results in weight less in obese and overweight patients with obstructive sleep apnea. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997;97(8):896–7.CrossRef
88.
go back to reference • Hudgel DW, Patel SR, Ahasic AM, Bartlett SJ, Bessesen DH, Coaker MA, et al. The role of weight management in the treatment of adult obstructive sleep apnea. An Official American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2018;198(6):e70–87. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.201807-1326ST A clinical practice guidline from the American Thoracic Society supporting weight loss interventions, particularly using comprehensive lifestyle modifications, as an integral part of the treatment of individuals with OSA. CrossRefPubMed • Hudgel DW, Patel SR, Ahasic AM, Bartlett SJ, Bessesen DH, Coaker MA, et al. The role of weight management in the treatment of adult obstructive sleep apnea. An Official American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2018;198(6):e70–87. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1164/​rccm.​201807-1326ST A clinical practice guidline from the American Thoracic Society supporting weight loss interventions, particularly using comprehensive lifestyle modifications, as an integral part of the treatment of individuals with OSA. CrossRefPubMed
92.
go back to reference Wong A, Barnes HN, Joosten SA, Landry SA, Dabscheck E, Mansfield DR, et al. The effect of surgical weight loss on obstructive sleep apnoea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med Rev. 2018;42:85–99.CrossRef Wong A, Barnes HN, Joosten SA, Landry SA, Dabscheck E, Mansfield DR, et al. The effect of surgical weight loss on obstructive sleep apnoea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med Rev. 2018;42:85–99.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Hypertension, and Cardiovascular Risk: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management
Authors
Liann Abu Salman
Rachel Shulman
Jordana B. Cohen
Publication date
01-02-2020
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Cardiology Reports / Issue 2/2020
Print ISSN: 1523-3782
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3170
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-020-1257-y

Other articles of this Issue 2/2020

Current Cardiology Reports 2/2020 Go to the issue

Myocardial Disease (A Abbate and G Sinagra, Section Editors)

Second Hits in Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Ischemic Heart Disease (D Mukherjee, Section Editor)

Management of Angina Post Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Myocardial Disease (A Abbate and G Sinagra, Section Editors)

Targeted Medical Therapies for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy