Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease,
heart failure and arrhythmias. The prevalence and severity of OSA in cardiovascular disease are increase with
age. Mechanism of OSA in cardiovascular disorders associated with oxidative stress, sympathetic activation,
inflammation, hypercoagulability, endothelial dysfunction, sleep fragmentation and metabolic dysregulation.
Although polysomnography is a gold standard diagnostic tool of OSA but it is still expensive, does require
questionnaires as a tool for OSA detection. The treatments consist of continuous positive airway pressure
(CPAP), oral appliances, surgical and behavioral modification.
Keywords: cardiovascular disorders, CPAP, sympathetic nerve activity.