Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea lowers blood pressure

More than 70% of patients with resistant hypertension have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, whether continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for OSA improves blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension is unknown. This was a randomized controlled trial of CPAP in 194 patients with resistant hypertension in the setting of OSA. The primary outcome was the change in 24-hour ambulatory mean blood pressure (AMBP) from baseline to 12 weeks post-randomization. Medical therapy used for resistant hypertension did not differ between the two groups. Patients treated with CPAP showed a greater decrease in …