A common sleep therapy used to treat patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may actually have a protective effect against death related to cardiovascular disease.
In a new study published in the June issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians, patients with OSA who were treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) had significantly fewer cardiovascular disease-related deaths and cardiovascular-related events than untreated patients.
"Research has shown that patients with OSA have an increased incidence of death or events related to cardiovascular disease, particularly hypertension," said Walter McNicholas, MD, FCCP, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. "Short-term use of CPAP therapy has resulted in health and quality-of-life benefits in patients with sleep apnea, including improved daytime alertness and mental functioning. Extended CPAP therapy may have additional benefits for patients with OSA by protecting them against cardiovascular disease related to the sleep disorder."