A Critical Review on Management of Hypertension in Obstructive Sleep Apnea View PDF

Pankaj Saini
Medicine, Kempegowda Institute Of Medical Science, India

Published on: 2024-09-03

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an underdiagnosed condition associated with essential hypertension (HTN), resistant HTN (r-HTN), and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The purpose of this review is to provide an update on HTN and its association with OSA. As obesity increases in the 21st century, OSA and HTN are common sleep disorders. OSA has been linked to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in numerous studies. It is well established that OSA and HTN are associated. Various factors contribute to HTN in OSA, such as sympathetic tone, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, and altered baroreceptor reflexes. A multifactorial approach to treating OSA involves Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), oral appliances, lifestyle modification, and antihypertensive medications. Both OSA and HTN must be diagnosed and treated promptly in order to help address the growing burden of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality caused by these two conditions.

Keywords

Obstructive sleep apnea, Hypertension, Cardiovascular disease

Introduction

Approximately 15 to 24% of adults suffer from OSA. In this condition, the upper respiratory airways collapse recurrently during sleep, resulting in breathing reduction (hypopnea) or cessation (apnea) that causes transient hypoxemia and hypercapnia. By briefly hyperventilating after awakening from sleep, most apneic episodes are averted [1]. In addition to daytime somnolence, fatigue, headaches, and decreased concentration, this perpetual sleep fragmentation also contributes to excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Depending on the number of apneic and hypopneic episodes per hour, OSA syndrome (OSAS) is categorized into mild, moderate, and severe forms [2, 3]

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