Relationship between sleep-disordered breathing and hypertension

The exact relationship between sleep apnea and hypertension remains to be determined in Japanese patients. We examined blood pressure and history of antihypertensive medications in 303 Japanese patients referred for evaluation of sleep apnea. The prevalences of hypertension were 20, 40, 49, and 58% in patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of <5, 5–15, 15–30, >30, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age, body mass index (BMI) and AHI were independent risk factors for hypertension. In patients not receiving antihypertension treatment, linear regression analysis showed significant relationships between parameters of sleep apnea (AHI, desaturation index, desaturation time) and diastolic blood pressure after adjustment for age, sex and BMI. We concluded that sleep apnea is an independent risk factor for hypertension in our sleep clinic. © 2003, Japanese Society of Sleep Research.