Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease: An American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Foundation Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association Council for High Blood Pressure Research Professional Education Committee, Council on Clinical Cardiology, Stroke Council, and Council on Cardiovascular Nursing In Collaboration With the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Center on Sleep Disorders Research (National Institutes of Health)

Abstract

S leep-related breathing disorders are highly prevalent in patients with established cardiovascular disease.6][17][18][19] The purpose of this Scientific Statement is to describe the types and prevalence of sleep apnea and its relevance to individuals who either are at risk for or already have established cardiovascular disease.Special emphasis is given to recognizing the patient with cardiovascular disease who has coexisting sleep apnea, to understanding the mechanisms by which sleep apnea may contribute to the progression of the cardiovascular condition, and to identifying strategies for treatment.This document is not intended as a systematic review but rather seeks to highlight concepts and evidence important to understanding the interactions between sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease, with particular attention to more recent advances in patient-oriented research.Implicit in this first American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Scientific Statement on Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease is the recognition that, although holding great promise, this general area is in need of a substantially expanded knowledge base.Specific questions include whether sleep apnea is important in initiating the development of cardiac and vascular disease, whether sleep apnea in patients with establishedThe American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology Foundation make every effort to avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of an outside relationship or a personal, professional, or business interest of a member of the writing panel.Specifically, all members of the writing group are required to complete and submit a Disclosure Questionnaire showing all such relationships that might be perceived as real or potential conflicts of interest.