Journal of Sleep Disorders & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Obesity, Cardiovascular Disease and Sleep Disorders: Insights into the Rising Epidemic

Navneet Sharma, Justin Lee, Irini Youssef, Moro O Salifu and Samy I McFarlane

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death among adult men and women in the USA and impacts millions around the globe. Traditional risk factors for CVD include obesity, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia. The modern-day epidemic of obesity not only increased the rate of CVD but also ushered in an additional CVD risk factor to be added to the list; that is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In this review, we discuss the growing epidemic of obesity and OSA, highlighting the resembling pathogenic hypotheses linking these risk factors to CVD. We will also highlight the therapeutic rationale of OSA as a way to reduce CVD risk.