Mild OSA present in 25 percent of female collegiate athletes in study<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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TUESDAY, June 24, 2025 (HealthDay News) — 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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 (\u03b2 = 0.09). Weight, lean mass, and age also predicted higher AHI in univariate analysis (\u03b2 = 0.07, 0.14, and 0.55, respectively).<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n