Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-related breathing disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of partial or complete upper airway obstruction during sleep, leading to intermittent hypoxia, hypercapnia, and sleep fragmentation. These pathophysiological changes trigger sympathetic nervous system activation, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, all of which contribute to cardiovascular morbidity. Increasing evidence links OSA to hypertension, arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, and sudden cardiac death. Despite its high prevalence, OSA remains underdiagnosed, and untreated cases may accelerate the progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and worsen outcomes.