Obstructive sleep apnea and cardiac outcomes in South Asians
Is there a correlation between undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea and adverse cardiac outcomes in South Asians at a rate higher than other ethnicities? Is there any research in this space? Hyperlipidemia seems to be the focus of attention, and perhaps rightly so, but curious a both OSA as a comorbidity.
1. Does OSA contribute to heart disease? Absolutely yes. It is an important risk factor (although associated with several confounders such as high BMI and other co-morbidities)….However direct mechanisms contribute to a high risk of ischemic heart disease among people with OSA: a) Each episode of apnea leads to adrenergic hormone release which increases BP and has direct adverse effects on blood vessels (inflammation similar to that caused by inflammatory foods etc) b) OSA can cause direct disruption in cardiac function by changing normal fluctuations in HR and BP 2. Does OSA happen more often in South Asians (unrelated to confounders) is a more open question with conflicting studies from the US and UK, some showing an increased incidence and others refuting such an increased incidence.