No Cardiovascular Benefits from CPAP, Study Finds; Quality of Life Improves

Scientists from two Australian research institutes which performed the research have got surprised by the latest finding because examinations in the past demonstrated that the impact of CPAP is apparently positive on such problems. The New England Journal of Medicine published the study results on Sunday.

A new study might tempt some sleep apnea patients to unplug their machines.

The study involved more than 27,000 participants who were diagnosed with both coronary heart disease and moderate to severe sleep apnea. They were mostly older, overweight men who were consistent snorers. The condition, which occurs when throat muscles relax and block the airway, affects over 25 million Americans. All participants received some care, such as advice on healthy sleep habits and lifestyle changes for sleep apnea sufferers, along with cardiovascular risk management. During the one-week trial, participants were able to wear mask only 3.3 hours per night similar to what CPAP users used to have in real world.

Over 25 million Americans suffer from OSA, a disorder that causes them to stop breathing for short intervals, sometimes a couple of times. Mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI, a measure of OSA severity) decreased from 29.0 to 3.7 events per hour when patients used CPAP, indicating good control of their OSA.

To test how effective CPAP was in reducing cardiovascular events among patients with cardiovascular disease, McEvoy and his colleagues designed the Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Endpoints (SAVE) study.

Fortunately, other benefits of the CPAP treatment were observed by the researchers.

Co-author professor Craig Anderson, from The George Institute for Global Health, said CPAP machines clearly improved the lives of people with sleep disordered breathing. But there’s evidence it may not help some as much as doctors thought. However, there may be some risks that CPAP machines can’t fight against. CPAPs help keep your airway open when you sleep. CPAP is the most commonly prescribed treatment, involving a mask worn during sleep that pumps air to help prevent the airway from closing. A number of people feel uncomfortable when they use the air mask and tube, and ultimately stop using the machine.

Sleep apnea, as the name suggests, is a sleep disorder which is characterized by momentarily stoppages in breathing during sleep. That may not be enough time to influence and reduce cardiovascular events. The problem has been associated with high blood pressure, strokes, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. However, the most common symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring or gasping while sleeping. If the link is weaker than was thought, then curbing sleep apnea might not bring about as big a heart benefit as hoped, he reasoned. The app also provides personalized tips for greater comfort and sleep, and badges when users reach milestones in their therapy.