Obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease: Implications for clinical practice

ABSTRACT

Obstructive sleep apnea is common, underdiagnosed, undertreated, and highly associated with cardiovascular risk. It is characterized by daytime sleepiness and disrupted sleep and is confirmed by overnight sleep studies (polysomnography). Treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) improves sleep and daytime sleepiness, but its effects on cardiovascular risk, while promising, are still unclear.