Obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease.
OBJECTIVE
To update the reader on the most recent developments linking obstructive sleep apnea to cardiovascular disease.


RESULTS
Significant progress has been made in defining the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease. However, much work remains to be done to clarify the pathophysiologic mechanisms and the potential role of treatment of sleep apnea in the prevention of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
At present there is only limited evidence to recommend the routine treatment of obstructive sleep apnea specifically for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Calvin
Andrew D
AD
Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Somers
Virend K
VK
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*