The effect of CPAP therapy on blood pressure in the mild obstructive sleep apnea population

Abstract

This retrospective study uniquely focused on the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on blood pressure in patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition characterized by intermittent upper airway collapse. OSA is a well-established risk factor for hypertension, with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy being the most common treatment. While substantial evidence supports PAP therapy in moderate and severe OSA, the impact of CPAP on mild OSA, which accounts for 50%-70% of all cases, remains underexplored. The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether CPAP therapy, particularly the degree of adherence to treatment, has a measurable impact on blood pressure regulation in patients with mild OSA. Specifically, this research aimed to evaluate whether consistent CPAP use could lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure and assess how varying levels of adherence influence these outcomes. Participants were stratified into two groups based on CPAP adherence: Group A (n = 45) included those who used CPAP for four or more hours per night on at least 70% of nights, while Group B (n = 15) consisted of those with less than four hours of CPAP use per night on 70% of nights. Interestingly, greater systolic and diastolic blood pressure reductions were observed in Group B, suggesting that lower CPAP adherence may still contribute to significant cardiovascular improvements. These findings offer new insights into the management of blood pressure in patients with mild OSA and the role of CPAP adherence.