The researchers found that untreated obstructive sleep apnea accelerates cardiovascular aging.
The research team, led by Dr. David Gozal, Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine, conducted a long-term experiment on mice to simulate the intermittent drops in oxygen levels that occur during sleep apnea.
The researchers studied the effect of prolonged exposure to intermittent hypoxia on the cardiovascular health of mice throughout their lives.
The results showed that prolonged exposure to intermittent periods of oxygen deficiency was associated with a higher mortality rate compared to mice exposed to normal oxygen levels.
The study also revealed clear signs of accelerated cardiov jiascular aging, including high blood pressure, impaired heart function, decreased blood vessel elasticity, reduced coronary blood flow reserve, and disturbances in the heart's electrical activity.
These results indicate that the chronic physiological stress caused by untreated sleep apnea radically alters the structure and function of the cardiovascular system, potentially shortening lifespan.
The study's lead author, Dr. Mohamed Badran, an assistant professor of pediatrics and pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Missouri, said: "Our results show that the effects of obstructive sleep apnea go far beyond just poor sleep quality. Repeated oxygen deprivation places a cumulative burden on the cardiovascular system, accelerating biological aging and increasing the risk of death. This underscores the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment of sleep-disordered breathing."
Gozal emphasized that the study demonstrates the direct link between sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease over a lifetime, explaining: "Our experimental model allows us to monitor these effects away from other external factors, and clearly shows that untreated sleep apnea is not a benign condition, but may have serious health consequences."
Early diagnosis and treatment, including the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device and other treatment options, can play a crucial role in improving long-term cardiovascular health, especially in rural and disadvantaged communities.
The study was published in the journal npj Aging.
