Sleep Apnoea Raises Risk of Death, Especially for Men: Report

Sleep-disordered breathing is a common condition associated with adverse health outcomes including hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The overall objective of this study was to determine whether sleep-disordered breathing and its sequelae of intermittent hypoxemia and recurrent arousals are associated with mortality in a community sample of adults aged 40 years or older. Sleep-disordered breathing is associated with all-cause mortality and specifically that due to coronary artery disease, particularly in men aged 40–70 y with severe sleep-disordered breathing. Punjabi and his colleagues published their findings in the August 18 issue of PLoS Medicine . (From: Healthfinder 19/8/09)