Large Midwestern Study Finds CPAP Therapy for Sleep Apnea Reduces Cardiovascular and Mortality Risk

It turns out that sleep apnea may heighten the probability of cardiovascular -related events and possibly even mortality, while the use of a machine delivering a constant flow of air through a mask during sleep can mitigate this risk according to a new observational study published in JAMA Network on September 11. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy helps overcome the condition involving the relaxation of sleep muscles and the subsequent survival reflex , snoring and intermittent waking needed for smooth flow of air. Not only do these repeated sleep interruptions cause a person to be tired during the day, but the sudden drops in blood oxygen also strain the cardiovascular system.

More prevalent in the elderly, CPAP involves the use of the mask and are effective in treating sleep apnea, randomized clinical trials have failed to demonstrate that they prevent cardiovascular problems.