Therapy for obstructive sleep apnea does not protect against heart attacks and strokes

Impact of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy (CPAP)
In the so-called sleep apnea recurrent respiratory arrest occurs during sleep. Researchers have now discovered that the current leading-edge therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) does not reduce the likelihood of stroke or heart attack in people with cardiovascular disease. People with sleep apnea are at an increased risk for such diseases. However, the so-called Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy (CPAP) significantly improves the quality of life of the patients and even helped with depression.

Researchers at Flinders University and The George Institute for Global Health have now discovered that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is not an effective treatment for preventing stroke or heart attack in people with cardiovascular disease , However, the treatment significantly improves the quality of life of sufferers. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "The New England Journal of Medicine".

Many people suffer from respiratory disorders during sleep at night. A so-called CPAP device is intended to remedy this. (Image: kudosstudio / fotolia.com)

Large sleep study examines about 2,700 subjects
The largest sleep study ever conducted examined about 2,700 subjects over a period of more than four years. The researchers analyzed the effect of using CPAP devices in people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease. Sometimes sleep apnea is easy to recognize even without symptoms. Other studies found some time ago that a large tongue and tonsils may indicate obstructive sleep apnea.

CPAP devices improve quality of life and well-being
It was surprising that the scientists found no significant benefit in the use of CPAP devices for the reduction of strokes or heart attacks in people with cardiovascular disease. But this type of treatment greatly improved the mood and well-being of the participants, explains Professor Doug McEvoy of Flinders University. When patients used the device for at least three hours a night, their mood and quality of life improved. In addition, these people needed less time to recover from the effects of illness and are therefore on shorter sick leave, adds Professor McEvoy.

No benefits found in cardiovascular disease
We were aware that people with obstructive sleep apnea are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. For some time, it has been proven, for example, that sleep disorders and respiratory failure increase the risk of stroke. We tried to determine if we could reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease by treating sleep disorders, Professor McEvoy explains. While the results did not show significant benefits in cardiovascular disease, they could still be encouraging news for many millions of people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Effects of nocturnal respiratory arrest
So-called CPAP devices significantly improve the quality of life of people with sleep-disordered breathing, says Professor Craig Anderson of The George Institute for Global Health. The so-called sleep apnea causes a whole series of problems. Breath loss at night increases the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke. They also cause lethargy, tiredness during the day, negative thoughts and excessive snoring.

Further research is urgently needed
Nevertheless, the results show that CPAP devices help people with obstructive sleep apnea to improve their lives, the researchers say. This is a previously unknown benefit for people with a breathing disorder while sleeping. Further research is now required to understand the significant risk of heart attack or stroke in people with obstructive sleep apnea and to reduce it accordingly, the authors add. (As)