Sleep Apnea's Hidden Link to Heart Disease Uncovered by New Study

New research has uncovered a key factor in how sleep apnea worsens heart disease. Scientists at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) found that the FXR receptor drives the buildup of fatty plaques in arteries. Their study suggests blocking this receptor could reduce cardiovascular risks linked to the condition. Obstructive sleep apnea causes repeated breathing interruptions at night. These pauses cut off oxygen to tissues and disrupt bile acids, harming metabolic health. Over time, this process accelerates the formation of fatty deposits in the arteries.

In experiments, mice without the FXR receptor showed far fewer plaques in the aorta and aortic arch when exposed to sleep apnea-like conditions. The absence of this receptor also protected their gut microbiome and prevented metabolic damage seen in faecal samples. However, fatty plaques still appeared in the pulmonary artery, even with the receptor removed.

The UCSD team now aims to verify these results using human clinical data. Further trials will explore whether targeting the FXR receptor could lower heart disease risk in sleep apnea patients. The findings highlight a potential new approach to reducing artery damage in sleep apnea sufferers. By focusing on the FXR receptor, researchers hope to develop treatments that slow plaque buildup and improve long-term heart health. Follow-up studies will determine if these benefits translate to human patients.