OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA AS A RISK FACTOR FOR ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate, through an integrative review, the available evidence on the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the risk or prognosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: An integrative review of 17 articles published between 2020 and 2025, selected based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, from the electronic databases PubMed, Virtual Health Library (BVS), and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS). Controlled clinical trials, observational studies, and systematic reviews extracted from indexed databases were included. Results: A high prevalence of OSA was observed in patients with ACS. The condition was associated with increased risk of mortality, reinfarction, hospitalizations for heart failure, and worse prognosis, modulated by clinical factors such as obesity, female sex, metabolic syndrome, and biomarker levels. Conclusion: OSA is an independent risk factor for ACS and should be considered in clinical and therapeutic prognostic stratification. Early screening and appropriate management may reduce complications and significantly improve patient survival.