CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME

Abstract

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a syndrome characterized by repeated episodes of breathing cessation during sleep, which can be partial (hypopneas) or complete (apneas). Intermittent hypoxia is the fundamental pathophysiological mechanism in the development of all associated diseases with obstructive sleep apnea. OSA is linked to various forms of cardiovascular diseases, and their association is correlated with poorer health outcomes. It is present in as much as 40% to 60% of patients with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases, making the causal relationship between cardiovascular diseases and obstructive sleep apnea the focus of this article.