Left untreated, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) may lead to depression, obesity, heart attacks and strokes. Continuous positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice for OSA. Now a recent study of 53 newly diagnosed patients with OSA who were evaluated for cardiovascular risk at the time of diagnosis and 6 months after treatment with CPAP, found that patients with good CPAP compliance experienced a reduction in cardiovascular risk factors as well as reduction in total cholesterol and homocystein levels (high levels of homocystein is a risk factor for Coronary artery disease), compared with those who had lower compliance on CPAP. The results suggest that good CPAP compliance can improve overall health, daily functioning and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in OSA patients.
Chest. 2007 Sep; 132(3):848-51. Epub 2007 Jun15