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Minerva Pneumologica 2008 December;47(4):183-95

Copyright © 2008 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Obesity, cardiovascular disease and sleep apnea

Steiner S., Schulze V., Strauer B. E.

Division of Cardiology Pneumology and Angiology Department of Medicine University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany

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Obesity, obstructive sleep apnea and coronary artery disease (CAD) are common disorders in the industrial countries. There is no doubt that patients with obesity and/or obstructive sleep apnea are at risk for cardiovascular events (e.g. angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, ventricular and atrial arrhythmia) or congestive heart failure. However, it was not completely understood for many years, whether this is a consequence of accompanied risk factors like hyperlipidemia or arterial hypertension. The literature to date suggest that obesity as well as nocturnal breathing disorders have detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system, promoting the progression of CAD and even triggering myocardial ischemia and acute coronary syndromes.