World Hypertension Day: Understanding the link between obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and hypertension
This Sunday, 17 May, marks World Hypertension Day, a global initiative to raise awareness of high blood pressure and its impact on health.
Hypertension affects an estimated 1.4 billion people worldwide and significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney disease. It is often described as a 'silent killer' as while it is the leading preventable cause of death globally, symptoms tend to go unnoticed.
Obesity, hypertension and obstructive sleep apnoea
Obesity and hypertension are strongly linked; around 75% of primary hypertension cases can be attributed to obesity. Excess weight can increase strain on the cardiovascular system, contributing to high blood pressure. Both obesity and hypertension increase the risk of other conditions, including obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), the most prevalent type of sleep-disordered breathing. OSA is characterised by repeated blockage of the airway during sleep, causing pauses in breathing and drops in oxygen levels, and contributing to elevations in blood pressure.
Hypertension, obesity and OSA are highly interlinked, each increasing cardiovascular risk, creating a reinforcing a cycle. Recognising and appropriately treating OSA in patients with obesity or hypertension can significantly improve health outcomes.
To better understand the complex relationships between these conditions and support informed management of OSA, you can access the supplementary module, 'Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Hypertension' completely free of charge on the SCOPE e-Learning platform.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Hypertension
This supplementary module, authored by Professor Krzysztof Narkiewicz and Jacek Wolf, of the Department of Hypertension and Diabetology, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland, reviews the evidence for a link between OSA and hypertension, and the complex physiological and cardiovascular mechanisms involved. It also explores the role of obesity in the development and progression of both conditions, and the relationship between OSA and stroke.
Designed for healthcare professionals, the module will help you better understand the relationship between these conditions, and appropriate treatment strategies.
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Learning objectives
- To review the evidence linking obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) to hypertension, including resistant hypertension
- Mechanisms linking untreated OSA to hypertension
- Impact of management of OSA on blood pressure control
SCOPE supplementary modules
To learn more about other issues related to obesity and the latest developments in the field, you can access our supplementary modules completely free of charge. They can be accessed by simply signing up to SCOPE!
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