Snorers wanted for study on sleep apnoea

February 9, 2011

Snorers are needed for a new study to investigate the potential connection between sleep apnoea, blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.

The Sleep Apnoea Cardiovascular Endpoints Study (SAVE) study, currently being conducted by the Canterbury Respiratory Research Group in association with other centres in both New Zealand and overseas, will help determine whether treating sleep apnoea can reduce blood pressure and the incidence of future heart attacks and strokes.

Canterbury District Health Board Respiratory and Sleep Physician Dr Michael Hlavac says untreated sleep apnoea reduces quality of life and increases road accident rates.

“Ten percent of middle-aged men and four per cent of middle-aged women have significant sleep apnoea – a condition caused by recurrent blockage of the throat during sleep and associated with snoring. Most cases of sleep apnoea go undetected,” Dr Hlavac says.

Participants for the study must be aged between 45 and 75 and have a history of a previous cardiovascular condition, including a heart attack or stroke, coronary angioplasty or heart bypass surgery.

Anyone interested in taking part can phone 03 3641157.

ENDS

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