10 Vital Facts
Fact 1:
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN AUSTRALIA
One Australian dies of cardiovascular disease nearly every 10 minutes. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australia, accounting for 34 percent of all deaths in Australia (2006) - many deaths that could have been prevented.
Fact 2:
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IS A LEADING CAUSE OF DISABILITY
Cardiovascular disease affects more than 3.7 million Australians and leaves 1.4 million Australians disabled as a result.
Fact 3:
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IMPACTS EVERYONE
Cardiovascular disease affects not only the patient, but families also. Affecting one in five Australians and two out of three families.
Fact 4:
SLEEP DISORDERS HIGHLY PREVALENT AND UNDER-RECOGNISED
Sleep disorders are a large and under-recognised problem in Australia, affecting 90 percent of Australians at some stage in their life, with 30 percent suffering from a severe sleep disorder. Despite its prevalence, it is estimated that only 20 percent of sufferers have sought treatment.
Fact 5:
OSA STRONGLY ASSOCIATED WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), one of the commonest sleep disorders, characterised by loud snoring, choking and excessive tiredness during the day, is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease. OSA is present in up to:
- 30 percent of hypertensive patients;
- 80 percent of drug-resistant hypertensive patients;
- 50 percent of atrial fibrillation patients;
- 50 percent of heart failure patients.
Fact 6:
OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA KILLS, INDEPENDENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
OSA has been identified as a stand alone risk of mortality, independent of its associated risk of cardiovascular disease.
Fact 7:
OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA STRONGLY ASSOCIATED WITH OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS
- Diabetes: 58 percent of diabetes patients have OSA
- Obesity: 77 percent of bariatric surgery candidates have OSA
- Depression: depressive patients are 5 times more likely to have OSA
Fact 8:
FATIGUED DRIVING COMPARABLE TO DRINK DRIVING
Moderate sleep deprivation (17-19 hours without sleep) resulted in motor performance equivalent to, or worse than, a blood alcohol level of 0.05%. Severe obstructive sleep apnea patients are up to 15 times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident compared to non-OSA subjects.
Fact 9:
CPAP TREATMENT REDUCES CARDIOVASCULAR AND MORTALITY RISKS
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is non-invasive and the gold standard. This treatment has been shown to:
- Reduce: stroke, myocardial infarction and recurrence risk of atrial fibrillation.
- Improve: daytime alertness, blood pressure, glycemic control, nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux, cognitive function and longevity.
Fact 10:
THE NEED FOR GREATER SLEEP & HEART INTEGRATION RECOGNISED
In a joint statement from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology published in August 2008, the link between sleep and heart health, and the need for greater integration were explicitly recognized. In particular, the statement emphasized that:
“in the context of the current epidemics of obesity, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure, the prevalence and consequences of both OSA [obstructive sleep apnea] and CSA [central sleep apnea] are likely to increase”, and that “Recognition that a multidisciplinary strategy is critical to appropriate evaluation of sleep-related disease and heightened interaction between specialists in cardiovascular and sleep medicine hold promise for future improved and integrated patient care.”