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Vaskuläre Folgeerkrankungen bei obstruktiver Schlafapnoe
Heart and blood vessel problems linked to obstructive sleep apnea
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Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) with a prevalence of systemic arterial hypertension ranging from 40-60%.
- OSA-related CVD includes pulmonary hypertension (20-30%), coronary artery disease (20-30%), congestive heart failure (5-10%), and stroke (5-10%).
- Patients with an apnea-hypopnea index greater than 30 per hour are particularly affected by OSA-related CVD.
- Epidemiologic data indicate that cardiovascular risk in OSA is elevated regardless of factors like obesity and metabolic diseases.
- Increased oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory changes, along with sympathetic activation, contribute to the pathophysiology of OSA-related CVD.
- Endothelial dysfunction and enhanced atherosclerosis have been observed in patients with OSA using high resolution ultrasonography.
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy may improve cardiovascular health by correcting vascular conditions and reducing rates of myocardial infarction and stroke.
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