ABSTRACT
Over the last 20 years, there has been increasing recognition by the medical community of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as a relatively common disorder, with important clinical consequences for afflicted individuals. In this chapter, we will review the pathophysiology of OSA, along with its clinical consequences and appropriate treatment. We will then discuss the relationship between obesity and sleep apnea. Finally, we will conclude with an in-depth discussion of the potential mechanisms by which OSA may contribute to cardiovascular disease, including mechanisms by which it may overlap, or interact directly, with the effects of obesity.
