Abstract
The cardiovascular consequences of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are systemic arterial hypertension, congestive heart failure, ischaemic heart disease, together with cerebrovascular diseases and arrhythmias. The pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases in OSA is not completely understood but it is likely to be multifactorial, involving a diverse range of mechanisms including intermittent hypoxia, hypercapnia, negative intrathoracic pressure, sympathetic nervous system overactivity, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, selective activation of inflammatory molecular pathways, abnormal coagulation, insulin and leptin resistance.
The morbidity is successfully reduced by continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) therapy.