Do Sleep Disorders Have an Impact on Blood Pressure?

Abstract

In this article, the relationship, perhaps interdependence, between sleep-disordered breathing, hypertension, and obesity is discussed. There is strong evidence that sleep-disordered breathing and hypertension are related. On the one hand, the prevalence of hypertension increases with the number of apnea-hypopnea episodes per hour of sleep, whereas on the other hand, treating sleep-disordered breathing reduces hypertension. It has also been shown that this relationship between sleep-disordered breathing and hypertension is stronger in individuals with a high body mass index. Thus, it is concluded that in individuals presenting with hypertension, sleep-disordered breathing, or increased weight, the two other variables must be investigated and treated if present.