Researchers in Japan have studied 86 patients who had their first heart attack. They found that 43% of these patients had OSA. Heart function was measured during the recovery period, and after 21 days, the recovery function of the heart was significantly lower in groups with OSA compared to the group without OSA. This study highlights the high frequency of sleep-breathing disorders in patients with heart attacks, and the fact that lack of OSA treatment may impede recovery.
Nakashima H. Eur Heart J. 2006 Sept 6