[Importance of sleep apnea syndromes in the assessment of hypertension].

Alterations in circadian blood pressure rhythm have been described in patients with sleep apnea syndrome or arterial hypertension. Epidemiologic data indicate an association of circadian blood pressure rhythm and obstructive snoring; however, only little is known about effects of apneic phases during sleep on arterial hypertension and their relevance for management of hypertension. Effects of arterial desaturation phases caused by apnea or hypopnea during sleep on arterial blood pressure have been investigated in altogether 16 probands. Thereby, a significant reduction of circadian blood pressure rhythm (p < 0.003) and of the difference between daily and nocturnal diastolic blood pressure values (p < 0.002) was found with increasing apnea index. Our results show that the sleep apnea syndrome or obstructive snoring, respectively, should be integrated more often in diagnostic and therapeutic management of arterial hypertension, especially when the circadian blood pressure rhythm appears to be levelled by ambulatory 24-hour monitoring of blood pressure values.