Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea More Common in Female Athletes Than Expected

Follow Drugslib on

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com

via HealthDay

TUESDAY, June 24, 2025 -- Among female collegiate athletes, mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is more common than previously expected and pulse wave velocity (PWV) is higher in those with OSA, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology's annual Care of the Athletic Heart conference, held from June 12 to 14 in Washington, D.C.

Austin Rim, M.D., from Emory University in Atlanta, and colleagues examined the prevalence of OSA and its association with cardiovascular risk in a multicenter and sport cohort study of female collegiate athletes. Sleep assessment was conducted via peripheral arterial tonometry; apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), and PWV were the primary outcome measures.

The researchers found that mild OSA (AHI >5) was present in 25 percent of the 63 multisport female athletes who participated in the study. None of the athletes had a measured AHI >15. Athletes with mild OSA had higher PWV, which was associated with AHI in univariate analysis (β = 0.09). Weight, lean mass, and age also predicted higher AHI in univariate analysis (β = 0.07, 0.14, and 0.55, respectively).

"Accurately diagnosing sleep apnea is important, as a range of treatment options -- such as continuous positive airway pressure, mandibular advancement devices, or even surgery -- can significantly improve quality of life and, depending on disease severity, potentially reduce long-term cardiovascular risk," Rim said in a statement.

Press Release

More Information

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2025-06-25 06:00

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords