Heritability of OSA in a Rural Population.

Background: OSA has a familial aggregation pattern indicating that it can be partially caused by a genetic component. However, the heritability of OSA has been estimated based on the study of families of obese probands of urban populations with established OSA diagnosis. The objective of this genetic-epidemiologic study is to study families ascertained from a general rural population to determine an unbiased estimate of OSA heritability.

Effects of OSA treatment on BP in patients with resistant hypertension: a randomized trial.

Background: OSA is extremely common among patients with resistant hypertension (HTN). However, the impact of the treatment of OSA with CPAP on BP in patients with resistant HTN is not well established.

Methods: In the current study, 40 patients with confirmed resistant HTN and moderate to severe OSA confirmed by full polysomnography were randomized to medical therapy or to medical treatment plus CPAP for 6 months.

Obstructive sleep apnea: the most common secondary cause of hypertension associated with resistant hypertension.

Recognition and treatment of secondary causes of hypertension among patients with resistant hypertension may help to control blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risk. However, there are no studies systematically evaluating secondary causes of hypertension according to the Seventh Joint National Committee. Consecutive patients with resistant hypertension were investigated for known causes of hypertension irrespective of symptoms and signs, including aortic coarctation, Cushing syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, drugs, pheochromocytoma, primary aldosteronism, renal parenchymal disease, renovascular hypertension, and thyroid disorders.