December 2004 – Analysis of Reggie White’s death, and the connection between sleep apnea and heart disease:
There has been some connection between coronary artery disease and sleep apnea, although the data is far from robust. A study done in the 1980’s suggested an odds ratio of 2.0 for angina in those with sleep apnea.
Another found a significantly increased risk of myocardial infarction for those in the top quartile of apnea frequency.
However, another study did not find a significant correlation between the two after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, and current alcohol consumption.
Thus, it is tough to say whether there was a definitive correlation between Reggie’s sleep apnea and the cause of death.
