Philips Respironics hit the big time — literally.
The Cambridge-based respiratory devices maker went behind the scenes for NBC’s mega-hit “The Biggest Loser: Couples” to provide equipment, testing, treatment and therapy for the weight-loss show’s contestants’ obstructive sleep apnea.
Seems the company, a division of global conglomerate Royal Philips Electronics, set up shop last fall in 10 rooms at a hotel, where 22 contestants were evaluated over a night’s sleep to see if they have the condition, which interrupts sleep and can be fatal. The company’s medical experts monitored the contestants throughout the night; as it turned out 16 of them had the condition and were given equipment, education and therapy to treat it.
Roughly 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, which is associated with obesity, increased risk of hypertension, heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation and Type 2 diabetes.