Cardiac Damage?

barbyann · Post by **barbyann** » Mon May 30, 2005 1:43 pm

I am having multiple cardiac problems for the last four years. It all started with tachycardia (PSVT) upon awakening that did not go away. Now I have been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. My other problems involve structural problems. My dad died at 60 with these same symptoms. I am 41 and no one really knows why my heart is deteriorating. I know my father was a terrible snorer, very loud, gasping for air. He was never checked for apnea. I have been told I snore and gasp. My cardiologists haven't mentioned a sleep study but I went and booked one myself for 6/9/05. Does anyone here have any story similar to mine? Do you guys think my heart problems may be linked to apnea? I would be interested in any input to bolster my sleep study case.

seamaiden · Post by **seamaiden** » Mon May 30, 2005 2:12 pm

Here you go Barbyann, I am a case in point.

I am 44 and had constant tachycardia for years. Despite highest doses of meds, my resting heart rate remained at 120. After ruling out other things, a new cardiologist sent me to a sleep lab, as it is indeed an atypical presentation of sleep apnea. She referenced a JAMA article in the last year or two that demonstrated the connection. She was right. Although I didn't have any other obvious symptoms other than fatigue (no snoring etc), I was diagnosed with severe apnea. Five months on the pap, and my resting heart rate has dropped 40 points (!)

Do keep that sleep lab appointment, and do speak to your doc about this. If s/he is not open to it, you might want to consider a new cardiologist. My heart was wearing out and breaking down fast, and I am so grateful to my smart doc who diagnosed what had been missed by many for years.

Good luck to you!

red sox · Post by **red sox** » Mon May 30, 2005 7:18 pm

I had a range of minor uncomfortable symptoms, From minor chest pains,
high blood pressure, high resting heart rate.

I was sent to a sleep study in March 2005 after being told of the "stop breathing, gasping for air" as you describe. I was diagnosed with severe
sleep apnea, and after one week on cpap, no more chest pains, lower resting heart rate, blood pressure starting to come down.

Apnea has "common syptoms" but seems to have many symptoms peculiar
to each individual, If you already know you gasp for air when sleeping,
Then by all means do get the sleep study done, because untreated
sleep apnea can cause damage to your heart.

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Mon May 30, 2005 7:24 pm

I agree with seamaiden, that you should not only have the sleep study but have a heart doctor who is knowlegable about the connection of sleep apnea and heart conditions.

I don't have what you have, but there is heart disease in my family. And I've heard of at least a couple of cases where people suffering from congestive heart failure also had untreated sleep apnea, leading me to wonder if there isn't a connection. Regardless, I think it's good to keep in touch with a good heart doctor. Sleep apnea is linked to stroke and heart conditions, not to mention the common increase in high blood pressure, so it only stands to reason that a good heart doctor should periodically monitor your health.

Keep us posted as to how things go. We can all learn from what you and others go through.

Linda

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 30, 2005 9:42 pm

I had to tell my Cardiologist that I snored, felt tired and gasped for air at night, and then ask him for a sleep study. I was then diagnosed with severe sleep apnea! Sometimes you have to be forceful with the MD.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon May 30, 2005 10:13 pm

My cardiologists haven't mentioned a sleep study but I went and booked one myself for 6/9/05.

For shame on them. And good for you, barbyann! You're absolutely doing the right thing for your own wellbeing.

SheilaB · Post by **SheilaB** » Tue May 31, 2005 12:33 am

Thanks Seamadian for saying you did not snore. I was just diagnosed with severe OSA a couple of weeks ago. Everyone was shocked because I don't snore. My husband says sometimes I make little noises breathing through my mouth but that is all.

I also have a higher than normal heart rate as do others in my family--much history of heart problems in the family. My pulse rate is usually 110-130. It will be interesting to see if it goes down once I am treated. I am waiting on my machine to come in this week.

barbyann · Post by **barbyann** » Tue May 31, 2005 5:24 am

I also have always had a resting heart rate in the 110's, so did my dad. I hope this is my answer. I meet with the sleep specialist on the 9th.

CareS · Post by **CareS** » Tue May 31, 2005 8:43 am

To Barbyann, I have had seven years experience with cardiomyopathy as my husband passed away with it almost five years ago at the age of 65 having been diagnosed with it when he was 58 years old. His was caused from a virus and he was an excellent candidate for a heart transplant as all his other organs were in very good shape, since he neither smoked or drank alcohol. Because he took such good care of himself, his diet, (no salt) took his medicine and lost a lot of weight, most of it fluid. He was doing amazingly well on the medication but was told that at some point the heart deterioration would happen quickly, which it did and he died peacefully on the way home from the Dr's office while I was driving. Now that I am on cpap, I think that it would have helped him because he would have been able to breathe easier while sleeping which he had to do with the bed raised and his heart would not have had to work as hard. Perhaps it would have given him more time. Perhaps there are much less severe cases of cardiomyopthy, and if so I hope that yours is one of them. Take care of yourself...CareS

pete in plano · Post by **pete in plano** » Tue May 31, 2005 8:54 am

I had high blood pressure and went to a cardiologist and was put on Bnicar HCT and Toprol. It worked great. My BP went from around 160/100 to 130/78. I am a big man, 350 lbs. I take my BP and record it to watch my progress and found that when I would wake, my BP would be at 160/100. We tried moving the medication time to right before bed. Still high in the morning. My cardiologist sent me for a sleep study right away, she noticed that it was probably apnea. I was only sleeping REM 1 hour and stopped breating 53 times in that hour. That made my BP go way up at night. I have been on CPAP with a pressure of 14 for 6 months and have never really had a good night. I have the Ultra Mirage and the F&P 431 but they both leak so much I have only had 2 or 3 good nights. Those nights, my BP was normal in the morning. I have judged whether I have had a good night by my BP in the morning. I don't use nasal masks because I mouth breathe and hate to tape my mouth shut. I wish they would come out with a good FF mask for fat faces that won't leak. Being overweight is a big cause of OSA so they need to realize that a lot of users are big and need to make masks accordingly!!

barbyann · Post by **barbyann** » Tue May 31, 2005 4:36 pm

Pete........are you telling me that some people actually tape their mouth shut while they sleep? Is this safe? I have always been a mouth breather and can't imagine the feeling. What if your nasal passages are clogged up or if you have to cough? Tell me this isn't for real.

SleepyGuy · Post by **SleepyGuy** » Tue May 31, 2005 5:22 pm

It amazes me that all heart patients aren't sent for a sleep study, especially if they have other symptoms. Did anyone see this story recently:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/26/arts/01mcdo.html

This guy died at the home of Carrie Fisher. He was 42, had congestive heart failure and was a loud snorer. There was cocaine and oxycontin in his system, but apparently not a huge amount.

From just reading the story, you can tell there is a high probability he had sleep apnea. He might be alive today if only his cardiologist had sent him for a sleep study.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue May 31, 2005 5:39 pm

barbyann wrote:Pete........are you telling me that some people actually tape their mouth shut while they sleep? Is this safe? I have always been a mouth breather and can't imagine the feeling. What if your nasal passages are clogged up or if you have to cough? Tell me this isn't for real.

I actually used some tape that had a hole for your lips but keeps your mouth shut. that stuff ripped off a lot of skin. i tried the chin straps but still mouth breathed. i really liked the way the Activa would float on my nose and not need tight starps, as well as not leak when i would move. wish they would make a full face version and i mean pronto!! i would be glad to beta test it

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Tue May 31, 2005 5:49 pm

barbyann,

I had to laugh when I read your question, for I, too, was mortified when I first read about people taping their mouths shut at night so they could use a nasal mask.

Click on this post for more info:

http://cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=204 ... mouth+shut

Once you read it all, it doesn't seem quite so.... horrifying....

barbyann · Post by **barbyann** » Tue May 31, 2005 8:45 pm

First the obvious jokes about the money saved from not needing a facial waxing ever again and of course the fact that if this mouth taping secret leaks out every husband in America will have their wife at a sleep study clinic tomorrow begging for the chance to be able to humanely tape their spouse's mouths shut. Now.......serious.

I must breathe through my mouth because of a physiologic reason. I have had orthodontic work and I know my jaws are not aligned properly. It is more comfortable for my jaws to be open. My dentist told me my mouth is the size of an average five year olds. Also, I have very thin nostrils and I am congested frequently. I guess these are all things I should write down to discuss with the sleep doctor when I go on the 9th. Thanks for all the info. I am learning so much.

Cardiac Damage?

Cardiac Damage?

Pulse rate and no snore

thanks for the support

Cardiac Problems

mouth breathing

Re: mouth breathing

tape lesson learned