Sleep Apnea Is Underdiagnosed in Cardiovascular Disease
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Several scientific studies have indicated a connection between obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease. According to Elizabeth Muxfeldt, MD, PhD, cardiologist and professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and Estácio de Sá University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea among individuals with drug-resistant hypertension is around 80%. Leonardo Siqueira, MD, electrophysiologist at the UFRJ Clementino Fraga Filho Hospital, estimates that approximately half of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have some degree of obstructive sleep apnea. Despite the prominence of the condition, obstructive sleep apnea remains underdiagnosed in the general population as well as among patients with cardiovascular diseases. In light of this fact, an alert was sounded during a virtual session of the 39th Congress of the State of Rio de Janeiro Society of Cardiology (SOCERJ), which took place in May.
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@bipin Many doctors still do not routinely assess the sleep quality of their patients. João Manoel Pedroso, MD, PhD, physician and professor at the UFRJ and moderator of the scientific session, believes that healthcare professionals need to ask patients about the quality of their sleep and provide guidance on sleep hygiene measures.