Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and the Vascular Endothelium in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects 25% of the Western adult population.

• OSA is associated with an increased risk of hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, and mortality.
• Patients with OSA experience repeated episodes of low oxygen and reoxygenation during breathing pauses.
• These episodes may lead to systemic oxidative stress and inflammation.
• Vascular endothelial inflammation and oxidative stress have been observed in OSA patients without overt cardiovascular disease.
• The observed inflammation and oxidative stress could contribute to faster atherosclerosis progression in untreated OSA patients.
• A venous endothelial biopsy technique may help evaluate how conditions like diabetes and obesity affect the vascular endothelium in OSA.

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