ABSTRACT
Epidemiological studies have identified obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as a risk factor for hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, and sudden death (1-3), but the physiological mechanisms underlying these associations have not been defined. Progress in studying the long-term complications of OSA has been hampered by the fact that by the time patients with OSA come to clinical attention, the disorder and its possible long-term sequelae have usually been present for several years. In addition, patients with OSA often present with confounding conditions, such as obesity, that predispose them to cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, elucidation of the possible underlying mechanisms that link OSA with the development of cardiovascular disease requires that several physiological measurements (some of which are invasive) be made over extended periods of time, a requirement that is generally not feasible in patients with the disorder.
