The six-minute walk test is often used to assess a patient’s physical capabilities and risks for cardiovascular disease, according to Bel Marra Health.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when there is a frequent obstruction in the upper airways, causing a person to temporarily stop breathing in their sleep. It’s the most common form of sleep breathing disorder, affecting nine percent of men and four percent of women. If the issue is left untreated, it can cause cardiovascular, cerebral, and metabolic conditions to develop due to the lack of oxygen caused when the patient stops breathing.
In recent years, there has been a vast increase in the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea, as the incidence of obesity continues to rise. The two conditions, unfortunately, create an environment the other requires to develop, thus resulting in a medical catch-22.
