RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Physical Activity Program for Reducing Blood Pressure in Sleep Apnea Patients With Resistant Hypertension

This study aims to discover if a physical activity programme, combined with standard CPAP treatment for sleep apnea, can more effectively control high blood pressure. It is designed for individuals who have sleep apnea and whose high blood pressure has been difficult to manage with regular medicines. Doctors believe that better managing sleep apnea might help control blood pressure. Previous research has shown that CPAP alone can help a little, but this study explores if adding exercise could make an even bigger difference. The goal is to improve overall heart health for people with both conditions by finding an optimal way to lower blood pressure throughout the day and night.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

AGIR à Dom

Enrolment target

100

Start

26 Mar 2015

Estimated completion

18 Feb 2025

Hypertension, Resistant to Conventional Therapy Sleep Apnea

What is this study about?

This study is looking into new ways to help people with two common health problems: sleep apnea and high blood pressure that's hard to control. Sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. This can put a strain on your body, and research has shown a clear link between sleep apnea and an increased risk of heart problems, including high blood pressure.

Controlling high blood pressure is really important for your overall health, but for some people, even with several medications, their blood pressure stays stubbornly high. This is called 'resistant hypertension.' Many people with this type of high blood pressure also have sleep apnea, which suggests that treating the sleep apnea might be key to getting blood pressure under control. Doctors are exploring if combining a physical activity programme with CPAP, a common treatment for sleep apnea, could be a more effective way to lower blood pressure.

Previous studies have shown that CPAP, which involves wearing a mask that delivers air pressure to keep your airways open while you sleep, can help reduce blood pressure a little. However, the effects weren't always enough for everyone. This new study wants to see if adding regular exercise to CPAP treatment can do an even better job at bringing blood pressure down and keeping it stable throughout the day and night. The hope is that this will lead to better health outcomes for people living with both sleep apnea and hard-to-treat high blood pressure.

Key takeaways

This study investigates if exercise plus CPAP helps control high blood pressure in sleep apnea patients.
It focuses on people whose high blood pressure is hard to manage.
Sleep apnea is strongly linked to difficult-to-treat high blood pressure.
Earlier research showed CPAP alone helps lower blood pressure a little.
The study aims to improve health outcomes for patients with both conditions.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you would need to have both sleep apnea and high blood pressure that has been difficult to control. For sleep apnea, doctors would need to confirm that you have at least 15 breathing pauses or shallow breaths per hour during sleep. For high blood pressure, it means you're already taking three or more different blood pressure medications, but your blood pressure is still high. You also need to be able to move around and go to appointments on your own.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have severe liver problems, or if your blood pressure is extremely high right now (like 180 over 110 mmHg or higher). Also, if you have a medical reason that prevents you from using CPAP treatment, then this study wouldn't be right for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Do you have sleep apnea, confirmed by a doctor?
Is your blood pressure still high, even though you're taking at least three different blood pressure medicines?
Are you between 18 and 80 years old?
Are you able to get around and attend clinic appointments?
Do you have severe liver problems or extremely high blood pressure right now?
Do you have any reason why you can't use a CPAP machine?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

The detailed steps for taking part in this study are not fully described in the summary provided. However, typically, a study like this would involve several visits to a clinic. You would likely undergo some health checks, including detailed measurements of your blood pressure over 24 hours and tests related to your sleep apnea. You would be expected to follow a physical activity program and use your CPAP machine as prescribed. There would be regular follow-up appointments to monitor your blood pressure and overall health. The total time you would spend in the study would depend on its design, which is not specified here, but clinical trials usually last several months to a year or more.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could potentially offer benefits, such as receiving close health monitoring and potentially improving your blood pressure control through the physical activity program and CPAP. However, there might also be risks, such as discomfort from CPAP use, or the usual risks associated with increased physical activity, especially if you haven't exercised much before. It's important to remember that you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (5)

Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (IUCPQ)
Verified postcode
Québec, Canada· Recruiting
Hopital Universitaire de Grenoble
Verified postcode
La Tronche, France· Recruiting
Clinique Pasteur
Verified postcode
Toulouse, France· Recruiting
Hopitaux Universitaires de Genève
Verified postcode
Geneva, Switzerland· Withdrawn
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois
Verified postcode
Lausanne, Switzerland· Withdrawn

Common questions

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep, often causing you to snore loudly and feel very tired during the day.

What does 'resistant hypertension' mean?

Resistant hypertension means that your high blood pressure is still too high, even though you are taking three or more different blood pressure medications, including a water tablet (diuretic).

What is CPAP treatment?

CPAP stands for 'Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.' It's a common treatment for sleep apnea that involves wearing a mask while you sleep, which delivers a gentle flow of air to keep your airways open.

Why is exercise important in this study?

Doctors want to see if adding a regular exercise routine to CPAP treatment can help lower blood pressure more effectively for people who have both sleep apnea and hard-to-control high blood pressure.

How long would I be in the study?

The exact length of time isn't specified, but studies like this often involve several months to a year or more of follow-up to see the full effects of the treatments.

How to find out more

Jean-Louis Pépin, Pr MD PhD

jpepin@chu-grenoble.fr Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.