REM Predominant Sleep Apnea and Cardiac Risk

Evidence for Increased Cardiac Risk

• The American Heart Association notes that enhanced sympathetic and diminished parasympathetic tone creates conditions that initiate cardiac arrhythmias, which is particularly pronounced with REM apneas 1, 2

Physiological Mechanisms

• The American Heart Association notes that diminished heart rate variability, reflecting autonomic imbalance, is associated with 2-3 fold increased cardiovascular mortality risk 3