Sleep Apnea and High Blood Pressure:  The Connection

Research suggests that individuals suffering from obstructive sleep apnea are at high risk for developing blood vessel impairment. The impairment in blood vessels may eventually cause a heightened blood pressure level and heart disease. The study was conducted in alliance with University of Iowa researchers. During the study, endothelial function of obese individuals was compared to a control group.  

The Study's Findings 

The cells that line the blood vessels are damaged as a result of few health complications such as diabetes, high cholesterol, congestive heart failure, sleep apnea and high blood pressure. The study further suggested, reinforcing previous studies, that while this endothelial impairment is caused by high blood pressure and other related health complications, the impairment in endothelium can also lead to high blood pressure.  

In addition, the study has suggested that even the other factors like high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure may not be present; sleep apnea may independently cause endothelial problems. Hence, the study argued that sleep apnea may promote a long-term possibility for developing endothelium damage, high blood pressure and heart disease. So, sleep apnea and high blood pressure have an indirect connection, even if it is not a direct connection. 

Conclusions 

Obstructive sleep apnea and high blood pressure have strong correlation, even if it is not a direct connection. In addition, the presence of untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of heart failure and death. While the relation between sleep apnea and high blood pressure is quite evident, the mechanism governing the association is still 100% known.  

It is also known that the patients with sleep apnea experience severe recurrent hypoxemic stress when they sleep. In addition to this stress, they also experience reflexive sympathetic activation and subsequently distinct increases in blood pressure levels. The occurrence of hypoxemic stress, reflexive sympathetic activation and an increased blood pressure level may lead to endothelial damage, while posing a possible threat for heart disease. 

Possible Treatment Suggested 

While you might think that something complicated would be the best treatment, it has been found that the treatment of hypertension and high blood pressure improves the condition of endothelium. It may be possible to find out that treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea will be able to remove the nightly blood pressure spikes and oxygen deficiency that can cause more serious cardiovascular conditions.  

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