Obstructive sleep apnea in patients with hypertension

Abstract

Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or in frequent breathing during sleep. The muscle tone of the throat ordinarily relaxes during sleep resulting in interruption of airflow. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common risk factor for systemic hypertension. The purposes of this study were evaluate the prevalence of OSA in patients with hypertension, the assessment of the impact of obesity and duration of hypertension on the occurrence of OSA in patients with hypertension.

Material and methods The study was conducted in patients with diagnosed hypertension in the I Department of Cardiology of Świętokrzyskie Cardiology Center. The study group consisted of 216 people, including 41.2% women and 58.8% men. In this study were used a special questionnaire, the Berlin Questionnaire and the Epworth sleepiness scale.

Results Among the 216 patients with hypertension there were 65 people with OSA (30.1%). The average duration of hypertension was similar in both groups: in patients with OSA — 13 years and in patients without OSA — 12 years. The BMI ≥ 25 was noticed in 81.5% of people in the group with OSA, while in group without OSA in 67.6% of people.

Conclusions Obstructive sleep apnea was frequent in patients with hypertension.There was no correlation between duration of hypertension and prevalence of OSA. There is a correlation between the OSA and obesity in patients with hypertension.