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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 Based on these findings, Franklin said a clinical trial is needed to determine whether treating obstructive sleep apnea in stroke patients helps extend their lives.
In the Spanish study, which looked at 394 patients with high blood pressure and OSA mild enough that it did not affect their daytime alertness, those being treated with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine over a one-year period experienced, on average, a 2mmHg drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared with those not using the machine. Use of the machine for five or more hours a night produced the greatest effect.
"This is the largest study trial in the field, and it shows that CPAP has an effect on cardiovascular outcomes regardless of symptoms," lead researcher Dr. Ferran E. Barbe said in a prepared statement. "This suggests that CPAP cannot only be used to treat the symptoms of sleep apnea (daytime sleepiness), but also to reduce cardiovascular risk in apneic patients."
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However, the researchers stopped short of recommending use of the machine for all OSA patients with high blood pressure and no daytime drowsiness. Instead, they called for further study of the cardiovascular benefits.
"In the future, we would like to know the effects of CPAP treatment on other cardiovascular outcomes such as stroke, myocardial infarction or heart failure," Barbe said.
More information
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more about sleep apnea.
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-- Kevin McKeever
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