Posted on 08/30/2016 1:39:12 PM PDT by BenLurkin
- The nighttime breathing difficulties of obstructive sleep apnea have long been linked to an increase in cardiovascular risks.
However, a new study throws confusion into that link. While treatment with CPAP did lower sleep apnea symptoms, it did nothing to lower users' long-term odds for heart attack, stroke or heart-related death.
...
McEvoy believes that, for one thing, prior observational studies may have "overestimated" the link between sleep apnea and cardiovascular outcomes. 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.
Another factor might be that many participants could only use CPAP about three hours a night -- perhaps not long enough to bring about a benefit to the heart, McEvoy said. That rate of compliance does reflect real-world use, however, he added.
McEvoy pointed out that the study participants who were able to use the treatment even a bit longer -- four or more hours -- did show "a trend toward a reduction in stroke."
(Excerpt) Read more at upi.com ...
Good to know. I generally only sleep 7.5 hours in the week - so perhaps I just need more sleep....
7.5 hours per night, during the week?
Or 7.5 per week?
If you’re only getting 7.5 hours per week, you have a big problem.
LOL. No, per night.
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