Breaking the Cycle: Non-Invasive Solutions for OSA to Protect Cardiovascular Health 

Updated on January 20, 2025

Even though heart failure is often perceived as a disease of aging, recent trends paint a different picture: studies show a concerning rise in heart failure cases among those aged 35 to 64, driven in part by untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This silent epidemic affects an estimated 80 million U.S. adult, yet as many as 80% remain undiagnosed. Untreated, OSA’s chronic oxygen deprivation puts significant strain on the cardiovascular system, accelerating the onset and progression of heart failure.

The urgency to address OSA has never been greater. Without early intervention, OSA can lead to severe cardiovascular complications, particularly in a generation that traditionally wasn’t considered high-risk for heart issues. Recognizing the link between OSA and heart failure—and offering more accessible, effective treatments—can transform outcomes for millions of young adults.

OSA’s Oxygen Deprivation and the Cardiovascular Cascade

OSA disrupts more than sleep; it systematically compromises cardiovascular health. Each apnea episode deprives the body of oxygen, triggering a stress response that raises blood pressure and heart rate. During these episodes, the body experiences repeated drops in blood oxygen levels, causing the brain to send emergency signals that jolt the heart and respiratory system into action. This stress response elevates blood pressure and heart rate, creating a harmful cycle of strain on the heart and blood vessels.

This constant cycle of strain damages blood vessels and the heart, increasing the risk of arrhythmias and contributing to the development of heart failure. The cumulative effect is significant: untreated OSA can contribute to arterial damage, promote inflammation, and increase the risk of arrhythmias. Even worse, it can lead to severe conditions like left ventricular dysfunction and congestive heart failure

This trend indicates that what was once considered a condition primarily affecting older populations now poses a critical risk to a younger demographic, highlighting the urgent need for early detection and intervention. 

But addressing this issue is complicated by the limitations of traditional treatments. CPAP machines, the standard approach for managing OSA, works by keeping the airway open with a continuous airflow. While effective when used consistently, CPAP therapy demands that patients wear a mask connected to a machine every night—a requirement many find uncomfortable, restrictive, or disruptive to their sleep. Moreover, CPAP therapy is a lifelong commitment, which poses a significant challenge for many patients.

As a result, compliance rates are notoriously low, with many patients abandoning treatment altogether. This inconsistency undermines the therapy’s potential to protect against cardiovascular complications.

Surgical options offer an alternative but come with their own set of challenges. Procedures to remove or adjust tissue in the airway can be invasive and carry risks of complications or infection. Moreover, surgical success is not guaranteed; results can be unpredictable or temporary, with some patients requiring additional interventions.

These shortcomings highlight a critical gap in the treatment landscape: many patients are left without a practical, long-term solution, placing their cardiovascular health at risk. This underscores the pressing need for innovative, non-invasive treatments that can provide consistent and sustainable relief from OSA.

A New Era of Non-Invasive OSA Treatments

Recent advancements in medical technology are transforming the way obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is treated, offering non-invasive alternatives that address the shortcomings of traditional methods. Innovative oral devices, now receiving significant attention from healthcare providers, work by gently repositioning the airway, eliminating the need for nightly CPAP use or invasive surgeries. These devices are designed for patient comfort, with treatment durations often lasting less than a year. Such breakthroughs offer new hope for those struggling with the chronic oxygen deprivation OSA causes and its devastating impact on cardiovascular health.

Clinical data from recent trials highlight the effectiveness of these approaches. Patients have reported significant reductions in apnea episodes, with many experiencing complete resolution of symptoms. Recent studies indicate that non-invasive treatments can deliver relief for a significant majority of patients, with nearly 30% achieving full recovery, demonstrating the potential for transformative outcomes. This high success rate underscores the promise of non-invasive treatments in addressing the root causes of OSA while improving patient compliance and overall health.

Unlike CPAP therapy, compliance rates are significantly higher, largely due to the comfort and simplicity of these devices. The results not only demonstrate improved patient outcomes but also present a scalable, sustainable solution that could drastically reduce the burden of untreated OSA on healthcare systems.

R. Kirk Hunstman
R. Kirk Huntsman
Chairman, CEO and Co-founder at Vivos Therapeutics

R. Kirk Huntsman, Chairman, CEO and Co-founder of Vivos Therapeutics, is a distinguished leader in the dental and healthcare industries, renowned for founding and growing successful dental service organizations (DSOs). In 1995, he founded Dental One, expanding it to over 165 practices across 15 states before its sale in 2008. He later led ReachOut Healthcare America, a Morgan Stanley Private Equity portfolio company, and established both Xenith Practices and Ortho Ventures. Since 2016, Kirk has served as CEO and chairman of Vivos, driving advancements in dental technology. As a founding member of the Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO), he continues to shape the industry's future. For more about Vivos Therapeutics visit https://vivos.com/