The Relationship Between Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease

Mayo Clinic cardiologist and sleep expert Virend Somers, M.D., Ph.D., discusses sleep apnea and its impact on the cardiovascular system as well as treatment options. Visit http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-co... for more information on sleep apnea or to schedule an appointment.

There are two main types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is typically associated with snoring, hypertension, atrial fibrillation and myocardial ischemia, while central sleep apnea tends to be associated with heart failure and is more common in males.

Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea can include weight loss, adjusting your sleeping position, or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), while adaptive servoventilation is optimal for central sleep apnea.

Video Content Outline:
• Introduction
• What is sleep apnea? (0:27)
• Obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea
• Association with cardiovascular disease (2:48)
• Treatment options for sleep apnea (6:42)
• Effects of therapy (9:17)
• Conclusion (12:36)