Sleep Apnea :: Beta blockers reduce severity of central sleep apnea

Beta blockers, commonly used to treat high blood pressure and other heart conditions, may help to control central sleep apnea (CSA) in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).

Japanese researchers examined the relationship between use of beta blockers and severity of CSA in 45 patients with CHF and CSA. Results showed that patients using beta blockers (n=27) had lower apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and central apnea index (CAI) scores than those not using beta blockers (n=18). AHI and CAI were also negatively correlated with the dose of the beta blocker carvedilol. In addition, no use of beta blockers was independently associated with CAI. Researchers conclude that beta blocker therapy may dose-dependently suppress CSA in patients with CHF.

This study appears in the January issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians.