Sleep Apnea During Childhood Can Spell Heart Trouble for Teens

The result of an eight-year study that included 421 children found that participants with sleep apnea before adolescence that did not improve over time are at increased risk for high blood pressure as teens, which can set the stage for poor cardiovascular health in adulthood. Study author Dr. Julio Fernandez-Mendoza adds, “Because most cases of sleep apnea go undiagnosed in adults and children alike, the problem needs more attention. Sleep apnea and its risk factors should be screened for, monitored, and targeted early in life to prevent future cardiovascular disease.” JAMA Cardiology, June 2021