Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Blood Pressure Variability in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea ( OSA ) is a common risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Continuous positive airway pressure ( CPAP ) improves OSA symptoms and blood pressure (BP) control. The effect of CPAP on BP variability ( BPV ) in patients with and without hypertension treated with autotitrating CPAP ( APAP ) for 2 weeks was studied. A total of 78 participants (76.9% men, 49% hypertensive, mean body mass index 36.2 [6.9] kg/m 2 , age 49.0 [12.9] years) underwent 2 weeks of APAP therapy. Office BP, BPV (standard deviation of three BP measurements), and pulse rate were measured before and after treatment. Systolic BPV (5.3±4.9 vs 4.2±3.4 mm Hg, P =.047) and pulse rate (78.0±14.5 vs 75.5±15.8 beats per minute, P =.032) decreased after treatment, particularly in hypertensive participants. Mask leak was independently associated with reduced changes in systolic BPV ( r =−0.237, P =.048). Short‐term APAP treatment reduced BPV and pulse rate, particularly in hypertensive patients with OSA .