ResMed Inc (ASX:RMD), a leading manufacturer and developer...

ResMed Inc (ASX:RMD), a leading manufacturer and developer of
products for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of
sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), announced the release of compelling
new clinical data on the effects of nasal Continuous Positive Airway
Pressure (nCPAP) treatment on blood pressure reduction in patients
with sleep apnea. The article appears in the current issue of
Circulation; the study was performed by Doctor Heinrich Becker and
colleagues at both the Philipps-University in Marburg Germany and the
University of Sydney, Australia.

There are now convincing published data demonstrating that sleep
apnea causes hypertension (high blood pressure). Recently published
studies have demonstrated significant falls in daytime blood pressure
in patients using CPAP at night. The study confirms and extends the
findings of previous research. In the current study, effective nCPAP
reduced mean blood pressure by 10mm of mercury (with a standard
deviation of 11mm) in a group of patients with sleep apnea versus a
group of patients who were treated with ineffective nCPAP therapy.
Although the patients' sleep apnea index was halved on the
ineffective therapy arm, there was no change in blood pressure with
time on treatment. This implies that unless CPAP levels are adequate
the associated improvement in cardiovascular morbidity is not
present. The treatment period was longer than in previous studies,
and the fall in blood pressure in the effectively treated nCPAP group
was higher than previously demonstrated. "Previous studies have shown
only minor treatment effects due to methodological limitations. Using
continuous blood pressure measurement we were able to show a huge and
highly clinically significant effect on blood pressure. These results
are very exciting," Dr Becker commented about the study.

This study is another very important milestone in the area of the
effect of SDB on cardiovascular disease, and demonstrates how
treatment of SDB may positively impact cardiovascular health. This
study estimated that the reduction in blood pressure seen would
decrease coronary heart disease risk by 37%, and stroke risk by 56%,
which would be an enormous benefit to both patients and health care
costs. According to the American Heart Association, 50 million
Americans suffer from hypertension. Approximately 15% of these have
drug resistant hypertension. And it is estimated that 45% of people
with hypertension have SDB while 83% of patients with drug resistant
hypertension have SDB.

ResMed is a leading manufacturer of medical equipment for the
diagnosis, treatment, and management of sleep-disordered breathing
(SDB). We are dedicated to improving awareness among patients and
healthcare professionals of the potentially serious health
consequences of untreated SDB and to developing innovative technology
to improve the lives of those who suffer from this condition. More
information about ResMed can be found at www.resmed.com.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Wal Flicker at
ResMed Inc San Diego at country code 1 (858) 746-2211 or by
contacting the article's principal author, Dr Heinrich Becker at
[email protected].