Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea More Common in Female Athletes Than Expected

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.

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.

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 (β = 0.09). Weight, lean mass, and age also predicted higher AHI in univariate analysis (β = 0.07, 0.14, and 0.55, respectively).

“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.

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