Does CPAP Lower Blood Pressure in Patients with Sleep Apnea?

The association between cardiovascular morbidity and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is widely recognized. The effect of treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on blood pressure, a potential mediator of cardiovascular events, has not been fully delineated. In a meta-analysis of 12 placebo-controlled randomized trials involving 572 patients, researchers assessed whether CPAP treatment reduces 24-hour ambulatory mean blood pressure (MBP). The proportion of patients who were hypertensive ranged from 0% to 100%. Study duration ranged from 1 to 12 weeks.

In all studies, 24-hour MBP decreased in the CPAP groups compared with the placebo groups, with relative decreases ranging from 0.30 to 10.50 mm Hg. Pooled results show…