Relationship between obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome and cardiovascular disorders in adult snorers

Objective

To investigate the relationship between sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS) and some cardiovascular disorders in adult habitual snorers as well as the effectiveness of nasal continuous positive airway pressure(NCPAP) on those with OSAHS.

Methods

With the use of polysomnography, 262 adult habitual snorers were examined and divided into the OSAHS group and the Non-OSAHS group (control). Using ambulatory electrocardiogram and blood pressure measurement, daily nocturnal rhythm of blood pressure, hypertension, heart rate variability, some arrythmias and angina pectoris of coronary heart disease were monitored and compared between the two groups, before and after 14 days of treatment with NCPAP in the OSAHS group.

Results

This study indicated a higher incidence (39.6%) of OSAHS in adult snorers and demonstrated that there was a significantly higher incidence of hypertension, disappearance of the daily nocturnal rhythm of blood pressure, poor effectiveness of nitrate on angina pectoris of coronary heart disease, decreased heart rate variability during sleep, increased arrythmias and lower SpO₂ levels in the OSAHS group than in the Non-OSAHS group. After NCPAP treatment during sleep, snoring control, significantly higher SpO₂ and lower apnea hypopnea indices were achieved in the OSAHS group; heart rate variability and daily nocturnal rhythm of blood pressure returned to normal levels.

Conclusion

The results of this research suggested that there was a close relationship between the development of OSAHS and some cardiovascular disorders. Furthermore, NCPAP treatment was effective not only on OSAHS but also on coexisting cardiovascular disorders.