Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea
syndrome (OSAHS) AND HEART RISK




Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is characterized by repetitive
upper airway obstruction during sleep and it is commonly seen in the adult population, 4% in
the men, 2% in the women [3]. This incidence increases with age. The most common
nocturnal symptom is snoring while the most common daytime symptom is excessive daytime
sleepiness. Men who suffer from this disorder have an increased risk of cardiovascular events.
HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT "EARLY BIRD SLEEP DISORDER"?
It is a sleep disorder which causes people to nod off early and wake fully alert before dawn. Scientist found that it is related to a mutant gene called CKIdelta.
Key to early bird sleep disorder, BBC NEWS, April 3, 3005
Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is caused by a blockage in the
pharynx that obstructs airflow during sleep. Individuals with the syndrome regularly stop
breathing during sleep for a few seconds (apnea) and have slowed breathing (hypopnea)

RESEARCH FINDINGS
The mean intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid arteries of patients with severe
Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) was found to be significantly higher
than those of patients with mild OSAS and control subjects in a clinical study [1]. An increased
intima-media thickness (IMT) in the carotid arteries is a marker of generalized atherosclerosis,
and it has been associated with a high risk of stroke. Thus, obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea
syndrome (OSAHS) is correlated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and
complications including systemic hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart
failure, arrhythmias, stroke and myocardial infarction. All these complications increase the
morbidity and mortality of OSAHS [2].

TREATMENTS
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and Surgical removal of upper airway
obstruction are considered to be efficient therapies in the treatment and prevention of the
disease [3-5].

REFERENCES
1. Altin R et al, Evaluation of carotid artery wall thickness with high-resolution sonography in
obstructive sleep apnea syndrome., J Clin Ultrasound. 2005 Feb;33(2):80-6.
2. 2. Wieber SJ., The cardiac consequences of the obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea
syndrome. Mt Sinai J Med. 2005 Jan;72(1):10-2
3. Dursunoglu N et al, The effects of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome on
cardiovascular system. Anadolu Kardiyol Derg. 2005 Mar;5(1):41-5.
4. Cai XL et al, Treatment of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome, Zhonghua
Er Bi Yan Hou Ke Za Zhi. 2004 Aug;39(8):496-500.
5. Xiao YL et al, Short-term and long-term influences of nasal continuous positive airway
pressure to sleep architecture of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome. Zhonghua Nei
Ke Za Zhi. 2004 Sep;43(9):651-3.

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