Sleep Apnea and Hypertension

30% - 50% of people with high blood pressure also have sleep apnea. In patients who have multiple medications to control their blood pressure, the treatment of OSA by CPAP therapy may help to lower their blood pressure levels and benefit heart health.

For newly diagnosed high blood pressure patients, if their obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is treated, there is a 25% likelihood that we could reverse their blood pressure. For hypertensive patients who have been treated over years, and if their sleep apnea is effectively treated, we will reduce a cardiovascular event by 50%.

OSA has been associated with the development of hypertension in those relationships.

Various studies recognize OSA as an identifiable cause of hypertension and recommend screening of newly identified hypertensive patients or patients who develop refractory hypertension for obstructive sleep apnea.

When OSA is effectively treated, there are many positive impacts on hypertension including:

• Reduced daytime high blood pressure
• Reduced systolic blood pressure in refractory hypertension patients with OSA
• Normalized nocturnal blood pressure patterns 

What To Do 

High blood pressure, like sleep apnea, isn't something you can diagnose on your own and is often even hard to detect on your own. It is important to be in tune with your body and if you feel something is off, check with your doctor. You know your body best and the earlier you recognize a problem, the faster it can get treated.