The Science of Sleep Health

Home sleep and respiratory company Resmed supported nine studies that were presented at SLEEP 2025, the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies. The research ranged from how CPAP use is linked to heart health and the increasing and disproportionate burden of OSA among women. HomeCare asked Dr. Carlos Nunez, Resmed’s chief medical officer, to highlight some key areas of the research and what it means for the future of sleep therapy.

HOMECARE: What stood out for you in the research presented by Resmed at SLEEP 2025? Were there findings that surprised you?

Carlos Nunez: At SLEEP 2025, the Resmed team presented a number of research studies exploring the life-saving cardiovascular benefits of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, the impact of CPAP on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) symptoms and quality of life, the essential role of health care providers in supporting patients with OSA and the increasing and disproportionate burden of OSA among women projected through 2050.  

We’ve known for a while that untreated OSA can lead to increased risk for other chronic health and life-threatening conditions like heart failure, diabetes and even stroke. What stood out to us in this year’s research was the clear, measurable impact that CPAP therapy can have on reducing events related to cardiovascular disease. Specifically, people who consistently used their CPAP therapy for two years had a lower risk of experiencing cardiovascular-related emergency room visits or hospitalizations compared to those who didn’t. This is a compelling reminder that CPAP  doesn’t just improve sleep—it has heart health benefits.   

We also saw strong patient-reported outcomes, with one study highlighting how people with sleep apnea who start using CPAP therapy often notice meaningful improvements in their symptoms and overall well-being within 90 days, and these benefits often continue to grow over time. 

From just these two research studies, the findings underscore the need to make sleep apnea testing more accessible, continue to destigmatize OSA and support patients throughout their therapy journey with innovation and patient-centric care. Diagnosing and treating OSA early is a critical part of that effort, with the potential to help drive transformative health outcomes for patients. 

HOMECARE: Is the connection between cardiovascular health and OSA therapy new? What does it tell us about the importance of early intervention and adherence when it comes to sleep therapy?

Nunez: Early intervention and adherence are critical when it comes to diagnosing and treating OSA. While the link between sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease isn’t new—in fact, earlier this year we shared data highlighting how CPAP therapy lowered the chance of heart-related death by 55%—what’s new is using evidence to show that consistent CPAP therapy can reduce overall health care utilization. This is important for our patients, clinicians and health systems. Our research at SLEEP 2025 showed that people who used CPAP therapy consistently for two years had a 22% lower risk of cardiovascular-related ER visits or hospitalizations. This is a powerful measure of the important heart health benefits that CPAP therapy can offer for people with sleep apnea—and the increased importance of 
early detection and accessible screening options.  

There has been previous data showing that sleep-related disorders remain vastly under-recognized, under-diagnosed and under-treated. Approximately 1 billion people worldwide suffer from OSA, yet, up to 80% of OSA cases go undiagnosed. Additionally, about one in three adults experiences symptoms of insomnia. We also shared data at SLEEP that shows many people suffer from both OSA and insomnia—a condition referred to as COMISA. Our research showed that approximately 23% of patients with OSA have a diagnosis of insomnia, and 14.5% of patients with insomnia have a diagnosis of OSA.   

At Resmed, we’re working to make OSA diagnostic testing more convenient and accessible. We recently announced our home sleep apnea test, designed to offer health care providers a simplified way to diagnose OSA from the comfort of an individual’s home, is available across the U.S. The more we can meet patients where they are, the better we can help enable improved outcomes. 

HOMECARE: Another paper looked at quality-of-life improvements patients perceive with CPAP. What did it conclude? And how might that help CPAP providers work with patients when it comes to onboarding them to therapy or persuading them to stick with it? 

Nunez: This patient-centric new research found that people with sleep apnea who start using CPAP therapy often notice meaningful improvements in their symptoms, overall well-being and related health conditions within 90 days. And often, these benefits continue to grow over time. These patient-reported outcomes reinforce why CPAP is a proven first-line therapy for OSA treatment and can also help deliver whole-person, lasting impact. This kind of feedback is incredibly powerful when it comes to encouraging new patients to start therapy and helping existing users stay on it. 

As providers know, untreated OSA and lack of sleep don’t just impact physical health, they can also drastically impact a person’s overall wellness and quality of life. If left untreated, sleep apnea can impact your mood and relationships and lead to weight gain, low energy levels or even memory problems. It can impact one’s ability to perform daily tasks and affect productivity at work. Resmed’s Global Sleep Survey found 71% of respondents have called in sick from work due to poor sleep in the past year. 

These findings can also help providers reframe the CPAP experience: not as a burden, but as a path to better sleep, higher energy and improved quality of life. 

HOMECARE: One study found that OSA is expected to surge in women—how can home medical equipment providers and others in the sleep therapy industry do a better job at diagnosing and treating women for OSA? 

Nunez: By 2050, women are expected to carry a growing share of the global sleep apnea burden. The number of female OSA cases is projected to grow by 64.4%, from 18.9 million in 2020 to 30.4 million in 2050. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating personalized medicine into clinical practice, with greater attention to how sleep apnea presents differently in women.  

OSA in women is often missed because symptoms can look different. For example, less snoring, more insomnia, fatigue or mood changes than may be observed in men with OSA. As a result, many women are misdiagnosed. 

Greater education and awareness around women’s sleep health can help ensure timely screening and support better long-term outcomes. By recognizing and addressing their unique needs, clinicians can more effectively support women’s overall health and well-being.  

HOMECARE: Resmed has put a focus on supporting this kind of research. Why is putting energy into scientific research important to you and to the industry as a whole? 

Nunez: Awareness is the first step toward treatment, and today, too many people still don’t know if they have sleep apnea or fully understand how their diagnosis can impact their health. At Resmed, we’re focused on leveraging research like this to help raise awareness among both patients and providers. Our research helps show the real-world impact of diagnosis and therapy, from better sleep to lower cardiovascular risk. It also helps empower providers to deliver more proactive care.  

Additionally, the health care industry is undergoing a pivotal shift, with sleep health emerging as an essential component of whole-person care that’s just as important to overall health as nutrition and exercise. Sleep health should be part of every clinical conversation, especially for patients with chronic conditions. Research like this supports that evolution, and also empowers providers across the board to deliver more personalized, preventative care.  

HOMECARE: Were there other papers or presentations discussed at SLEEP 2025, perhaps nonsponsored research, that you came 
home thinking seriously about? 

Nunez: One area that stood out to us is the growing link between sleep disorders and neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Research shows that people with sleep disorders like insomnia or OSA can have a higher risk of developing dementia. Studies also show that quality—not just quantity—of sleep is especially impactful when it comes to long-term brain health. 

This area of research further reinforces how critical sleep is as a pillar of health. As an industry, we have an important role to play in driving widespread awareness among providers on how sleep can impact one’s overall health. 

HOMECARE: What are some areas that you feel are ripe for future research? Are there questions related to sleep/OSA/CPAP that you’d like to seek answers to? 

Nunez: We still have a lot of important questions to answer—like how to personalize OSA treatment based on symptom patterns, comorbidities or sex.

We’re also digging further into long-term outcomes: For example, what happens to cardiovascular or cognitive health after five, 10, 15 years of CPAP therapy?  

Another opportunity is exploring how artificial intelligence and real-world data can help predict adherence, guide interventions and improve patient support in home settings.