PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Sleep apnea treatment may protect against heart failure

2012-03-14
(Press-News.org) A nightly breathing treatment may do more than help people with obstructive sleep apnea get a good night's rest — it may also help prevent heart failure.

In a study published in Circulation: Heart Failure, a journal of the American Heart Association, researchers in the U.K. discovered that moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can cause changes in the heart's shape and function, similar to the effects of hypertension. These changes include increased mass, thickening of the heart wall and reduced pumping ability.

But, six months after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment, the abnormalities returned to near-normal measurements in sleep apnea patients.

"To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to provide a comprehensive assessment of left ventricular structural and functional parameters using advanced echocardiograms in otherwise healthy apnea patients," said Gregory Y. H. Lip, M.D., a researcher at the University of Birmingham Center for Cardiovascular Sciences in Birmingham, U.K.

"Our findings imply that OSA could be crucial in the development of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction that can lead to heart failure and increased mortality if left untreated."

British researchers evaluated 40 patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea and compared the results with those obtained from 40 people with high blood pressure and 40 healthy people.

The OSA patients had abnormal cardiac structure and performance changes typically associated with chronic high blood pressure, even though their blood pressure was only moderately elevated.

While previous studies have suggested that OSA might be associated with structural and functional changes in the left ventricle, the new study used a better defined and controlled patient group, newer two- and three-dimensional echocardiograms and Doppler imaging of heart muscle tissue.

"OSA patients may have cardiac abnormalities that often are undetected, but will improve with CPAP," Lip said. "Patients also need to understand that OSA is not a benign disorder, but that their risk of heart problems can be easily treated with CPAP."

Physicians should question patients with hypertension and/or abnormal echocardiograms about snoring and other signs of sleep apnea, although asking their partners is usually more reliable, Lip said.

The study wasn't randomized or blinded, so observer bias can't be ruled out. Also, the OSA patients tended to have a higher body mass index. A larger randomized trial may clarify the findings, Lip said.

The National Sleep Foundation estimates that more than 18 million Americans have some form of OSA.

INFORMATION:

Co-authors are: Mehmood Butt, M.R.C.P.; Girish Dwivedi, M.D., Ph.D.; Alena Shantsila, M.D., University of Birmingham Center for Cardiovascular Sciences; and Omer Khair, M.D., with the Department of Respiratory Medicine at City Hospital in Birmingham.

Author disclosures and funding information are on the manuscript.

Statements and conclusions of study authors published in American Heart Association scientific journals are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the association's policy or position. The association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at www.heart.org/corporatefunding.

NR12 - (Circ HF/Lip)

Additional Resources: Learn more about Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease, visit http://my.americanheart.org/professional/General/Sleep-Apnea-and-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_423888_Article.jsp

What Is Heart Failure? (Downloadable PDF) http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_300315.pdf

END



ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Text messages help HIV patients stick to antiretroviral drug therapy

2012-03-14
Mobile phones could play a valuable role in helping HIV patients to take their medication every day, according to a new Cochrane Systematic Review. The researchers found that patients were less likely to miss doses if they were sent weekly mobile phone text message reminders. Text messaging is increasingly being used as a means of support in health care, including to help promote attendance at clinics and hospitals, and to increase contact between patients and care workers. There is also some evidence that text messaging helps tuberculosis patients to take their daily ...

Specialist cancer care may improve patient outcomes

2012-03-14
Survival rates for cancer patients may be improved by treatment in specialised cancer centres, according to Cochrane researchers. In a review of recent studies, they found that women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer lived longer when treated in specialist compared to non-specialist units. In the past, cancer patients were often treated by non-specialist surgeons and hospitals. This is changing and in developed countries, most cancer care is now organised into networks of specialised centres, with on-site experts and specialised nursing staff. This centralised approach, ...

Pain relief: Poor evidence for non-drug approaches in labor

2012-03-14
There is better evidence for the effectiveness of drug-based approaches for relieving labour pains than non-drug approaches. These are the findings of an all-encompassing publishing in The Cochrane Library, which draws together results from a number of previous reviews on the subject. Many different approaches are used to relieve pain in labour, but not all are supported by strong evidence. The researchers brought together the results of 15 previous Cochrane reviews and three non-Cochrane reviews, including data from 310 trials in total. To try to distinguish between ...

Hospital survival differs among Hispanic and non-Hispanic heart failure patients

2012-03-14
The odds of surviving their hospital stay for heart failure differ between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white patients according to their level of heart function, even when they received equal care in hospitals participating in the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines®–Heart Failure quality improvement program, researchers said. The study, published in the American Heart Association journal, Circulation: Heart Failure, is the first in which researchers compare the care and outcomes of Hispanic to non-Hispanic heart failure patients admitted to U.S. hospitals ...

Dietary patterns exist among US adults based on demographics

2012-03-14
Scientists say they have identified five eating patterns for U.S. adults that are strongly influenced by age, race, region, gender, income and education. Presenting their findings at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2012 Scientific Sessions, the scientists said the five dietary patterns are: Southern — fried, processed meats, and sugar sweetened beverages Traditional — Chinese and Mexican food, pasta dishes, pizza, soup and other mixed dishes including frozen or take-out meals Healthy — mostly ...

Cool hands may be the key to increasing exercise capacity

2012-03-14
Cooling the palms of the hands while working out could help you stick with a physical activity program, according to a small study presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2012 Scientific Sessions. In the study, obese women who exercised while using the AvaCore Rapid Thermal Exchange (RTX palm cooling device) improved their exercise tolerance and cardiovascular fitness. "Obese women often complain about sweating and getting tired because they're walking around with extra insulation," said Stacy ...

Fatty diets may be associated with reduced semen quality

2012-03-14
Men's diets, in particular the amount and type of different fats they eat, could be associated with their semen quality according to the results of a study published online in Europe's leading reproductive medicine journal Human Reproduction [1] today (Wednesday). The study of 99 men in the USA found an association between a high total fat intake and lower total sperm count and concentration. It also found that men who ate more omega-3 polyunsaturated fats (the type of fat often found in fish and plant oils) had better formed sperm than men who ate less. However, the ...

Health care poses a significant risk to hospital patients in developing world

2012-03-14
Inadequate training or supervision of clinical staff and the absence of, or failure to follow clinical protocols were more important than a shortage of equipment or staff as causing harm to hospitalised patients in the developing world, claims a study published on bmj.com today. The researchers estimate that on average, these failures account for more than one death per day in each hospital studied, the vast majority of which are preventable. The authors from the New York City Health and Hospital Corporation of the study initiated by the World Health Organization, ...

Research reveals carbon footprint caused by China's irrigation system

Research reveals carbon footprint caused by Chinas irrigation system
2012-03-14
China's groundwater irrigation system is responsible for polluting the atmosphere with more than 30 million tonnes of CO2 per year – according to research from the University of East Anglia. Groundwater used for crop irrigation in China has grown from 10 billion cubic metres in 1950 to more than 100 billion today. A research paper, published today in Environmental Research Letters, estimates that the pumping systems which support this immense irrigation network annually produce 33.1 MtCO2e (33.1 mega tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent). China is the largest greenhouse ...

Genetic study shows that inflammatory protein plays a role in heart disease

2012-03-14
A protein involved in inflammation, the interleukin-6 receptor (IL6R), is a contributing cause in the development of heart disease, new research led by the University of Cambridge has discovered. The research was published today, 15 March, in the journal The Lancet. The findings suggest that targeting the IL6R signalling pathway might therefore be an effective way of combatting heart disease. Dr Adam Butterworth, who co-led the study from the University of Cambridge, said: "Typically, it can take many years to make safe and effective drugs to target new disease pathways. ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Thirty-year mystery of dissonance in the “ringing” of black holes explained

Less intensive works best for agricultural soil

Arctic rivers project receives “national champion” designation from frontiers foundation

Computational biology paves the way for new ALS tests

Study offers new hope for babies born with opioid withdrawal syndrome

UT, Volkswagen Group of America celebrate research partnership

New Medicare program could dramatically improve affordability for cancer drugs – if patients enroll

Are ‘zombie’ skin cells harmful or helpful? The answer may be in their shapes

University of Cincinnati Cancer Center presents research at AACR 2025

Head and neck, breast, lung and survivorship studies headline Dana-Farber research at AACR Annual Meeting 2025

AACR: Researchers share promising results from MD Anderson clinical trials

New research explains why our waistlines expand in middle age

Advancements in muon detection: Taishan Antineutrino Observatory's innovative top veto tracker

Chips off the old block

Microvascular decompression combined with nerve combing for atypical trigeminal neuralgia

Cutting the complexity from digital carpentry

Lung immune cell type “quietly” controls inflammation in COVID-19

Fiscal impact of expanded Medicare coverage for GLP-1 receptor agonists to treat obesity

State and sociodemographic trends in US cigarette smoking with future projections

Young adults drive historic decline in smoking

NFCR congratulates Dr. Robert C. Bast, Jr. on receiving the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research

Chimpanzee stem cells offer new insights into early embryonic development

This injected protein-like polymer helps tissues heal after a heart attack

FlexTech inaugural issue launches, pioneering interdisciplinary innovation in flexible technology

In Down syndrome mice, 40Hz light and sound improve cognition, neurogenesis, connectivity

Methyl eugenol: potential to inhibit oxidative stress, address related diseases, and its toxicological effects

A vascularized multilayer chip reveals shear stress-induced angiogenesis in diverse fluid conditions

AI helps unravel a cause of Alzheimer's disease and identify a therapeutic candidate

Coalition of Autism Scientists critiques US Department of Health and Human Services Autism Research Initiative

Structure dictates effectiveness, safety in nanomedicine

[Press-News.org] Sleep apnea treatment may protect against heart failure