Article Released on Major Effect of NCPAP on Blood Pressure In Patients With Sleep Apnea

San Diego, CA - January 13, 2003

ResMed Inc., 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 p ressure 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.