Undiagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients Have Altered Cardiovascular Responses During Exercise Recovery

People with untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have changed cardiovascular reactions during the convalescence of maximum exercise. These results indicate an imbalance in the autonomous control of heart rate during the recovery, and may be an early sign of the clinical progression of OSA.


The study, by Trent A. Hargens, PhD, Virginia Tech, which are about 44 people: 14 overweight with OSA (OSA), 16 overweight without OSA (No-OSA), and 14 normal weight without OSA (Control). All were aged between 18 and 26 The subjects, the maximum ramping load testing on a cycle ergometer with five minutes of active recreation. Lab measurements include heart rate, blood pressure, respiration and oxygen consumption exchange ratio.


According to the results, in the OSA patients, the heart rate recovery was significantly weakened compared to the no-OSA and groups throughout recovery. No differences were found in heart rate and blood pressure response to exercise in each group.


"We believe that our study is the first study to show blunted post-exercise heart rate recovery in small seemingly healthy young men who are latently obstructive sleep apnea. Mechanistic studies by other investigators indicate that out that this response is a function of impaired vagal reactivation following vigorous exercise is a marker, specifically the autonomic dysfunction of sleep, "said William G. Herbert, Ph.D., co-author of the study. "In view of these results were observed in young men, follow-up confirmation with large cohorts May support use of this marker for the identification of men at risk of early sleep and for the monitoring of therapy in the treatment, which is already common for this, but under-diagnosed disorder. "


OSA is a sleep-breathing disorder that causes your body to stop breathing during sleep. OSA occurs when the tissue on the back of the throat collapses and blocks the airway. This holds in the air from the lungs. It is estimated that four percent of men and two percent of women have OSA, and millions more remain undiagnostiziert.


On average, most adults need between seven and eight hours of sleep per night to feel alert and well rested.


The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) offers the following tips on how to get a good sleep:


- Follow a consistent bedtime routine.

- Establishing a relaxed setting before bedtime.

- Get a full night sleep every night.

- Avoid foods or drinks, which contain caffeine, and all the medicines, has a stimulant before bedtime.

- You do not go to bed hungry, but do not eat a large meal before bedtime either.

- Avoid any rigorous exercise within six hours after your bedtime.

- Make your bedroom quiet, dark and a little cool.

- Get up at the same time every morning.


First introduced as a treatment option for sleep apnea in 1981, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most common and effective treatment for OSA. CPAP provides a steady stream of compressed air to patients through a mask, that while they sleep. This airflow keeps the airway open, which prevent the pauses in breathing characterize sleep apnea and restoring normal oxygen.


CPAP Central, a Web site created by the AASM, provides the public with comprehensive, accurate and reliable information on CPAP. CPAP Central includes expanded information about OSA and CPAP, including OSA is diagnosed, the function of CPAP, the benefits of CPAP and an overview of what to expect when the top CPAP, the position of experts on CPAP and tools for success . CPAP center also offers an interactive slide set that educates the public about the warning signs of OSA.


More information on OSA is available from the AASM on www.SleepEducation.com/Disorder.aspx?id=7


SLEEP is the official journal of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC, a joint venture of the AASM and the Sleep Research Society.


SleepEducation.com, a patient education Web site, by the AASM, offers information on various sleep disorders, the forms of treatment available, recent news on the subject of sleep, sleep disorders studies, which were carried out, and a list of sleep.