Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by repetitive episodes of upper airway obstruction that occur during sleep, usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation. Male gender, advanced age, obesity, anatomical abnormalities, heredity and instability of respiratory control during sleep, have been reported as risk factors for the development of sleep apnea. OSAS is associated with several cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalance of obesity and cardiovascular disease in OSAS. 119 cases (mean age, 45.7±11.2), 105 (88.2%) male and 14 (11.8%) female, diagnosed as OSAS with full polysomnography were recruited to the study. Of 119 patients 44 (36.9%) were overweight (BMI:26-30), 48 (40.5%) were obese (BMI>30), 37 (31.0%) had systemic hypertension, 15 (12.6%