SALT LAKE CITY — The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with coronary heart disease may be higher than previously thought, according to data presented at the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.
In a study of 132 patients with a history of myocardial infarction or angiographically verified coronary artery disease, the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea was 70%, Robert M. Carney, Ph.D., reported in a poster presentation. The results of some previous studies have suggested prevalence rates in the 50% range in this population.
Patients in the current study underwent 2 nights of polysomnography. Obstructive sleep apnea was defined as at least five episodes of obstructive apnea or hypopnea per hour, said Dr. Carney, professor of psychiatry and director of the Behavioral Medicine Center at Washington University, St. Louis. The finding underscores the importance of screening heart disease patients for obstructive sleep apnea, which has been shown to increase the risk of myocardial infarction in this population, he concluded.