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Obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension

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Abstract

There is growing evidence of a causal relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hypertension. Untreated OSA may have direct and deleterious effects on cardiovascular function and structure through several mechanisms, including sympathetic activation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. OSA may contribute to or augment elevated blood pressure levels in a large proportion of the hypertensive patient population. It is important to consider OSA in the differential diagnosis of hypertensive patients who are obese. OSA should be especially considered in those hypertensive patients who respond poorly to combination therapy with antihypertensive medications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hypertension Unit, Department of Hypertension and Diabetology, Medical University of Gdansk, Debinki 7c, 80-952, Gdansk, Poland

    Krzysztof Narkiewicz MD, PhD

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  1. Krzysztof Narkiewicz MD, PhD
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  2. Jacek Wolf MD
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  3. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez MD
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  4. Virend K. Somers MD, PhD
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Narkiewicz, K., Wolf, J., Lopez-Jimenez, F. et al. Obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension. Curr Cardiol Rep 7, 435–440 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-005-0061-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-005-0061-z

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