Sleep-disordered breathing and cardiovascular health.
OBJECTIVE
Sleep-disordered breathing is a widely prevalent condition and may have serious medical, social, and economic consequences. This review evaluates the role of sleep-disordered breathing in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality on the basis of recent literature.


RESULTS
Epidemiologic studies, retrospective reviews, and prospective clinical trials suggest a strong association between sleep-disordered breathing and adverse cardiovascular events. Individuals with sleep-disordered breathing have a higher prevalence of hypertension, which attenuates with treatment. Furthermore, the presence of sleep-disordered breathing augurs an increased risk of coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmias, and heart failure.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent research provides an emerging evidence of the role of sleep-disordered breathing as a risk factor for diverse cardiovascular disorders.
Budhiraja
Rohit
R
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona 85723, USA. rohit.budhiraja@med.va.gov
Quan
Stuart F
SF
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D044882:Glucose Metabolism Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D012119:Respiration; D012307:Risk Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology