How Sleep Apnea affects the heart

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
galnextor
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2015 7:27 pm

How Sleep Apnea affects the heart

Post by galnextor » Wed Jul 29, 2015 7:58 pm

Hello all - newbie here...

I have been on my cpap for a year now. I am lucky in the fact that while I resisted getting the test and the machine, once I got it, I was able to be compliant right away. I wear it every night except when I have a horrible sinus issue.

I have a question on heart health and sleep apnea. First a little background:

I know that sleep apnea puts strain on your heart. I have a family history of heart disease. In the course of a normal physical before our move out of state, I mentioned that I had a lot of fluttering in my chest and pressure. No pain, so I assumed it was the stress of moving. They did an EKG and it was abnormal. The drew all sorts of blood and did a chest xray. They said it wasn't safe for me to go home and got me in with a cardiologist the same day. Needless to say I was freaking out. The Cardio took more blood, listened to my heart and ordered a echo cardiogram. Apparently the walls of my heart are thicker than they should be, considering I have no other big symptoms like high bp. They knew I was moving and told me to get a Cardiac MRI when I got to the new state to check for 'Infiltrative Cardiomyopathy'. I went to a new cardio who was like - You're fine, the sleep apnea made your heart thicker and the longer you use it, the thickness will subside. So one doc made me feel like this was a very big deal and the other was like - no biggie.

My questiona are these: Have you ever heard of this? and since I have been on a cpap for a year, shouldn't the thickness already subsided?

Thanks for your insights!

SewTired
Posts: 1737
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2015 8:33 am
Location: Minneapolis area

Re: How Sleep Apnea affects the heart

Post by SewTired » Wed Jul 29, 2015 8:23 pm

I know nothing about your health problem, but a quick look on google revealed this study which does address the problem suggested from the first cardiologist. I'm not sure if the thickness they are discussing is what you are referring to because this is rather above my head.

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa022479

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead
Diabetes 2, RLS & bradycardia
Airsense For Her; Settings: range 8-12, Airfit P10 (M)

User avatar
Julie
Posts: 19898
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:58 pm

Re: How Sleep Apnea affects the heart

Post by Julie » Wed Jul 29, 2015 8:41 pm

I don't think cardiomyopathy is something strangers on the internet could speculate about in someone they've never met or examined.

There may be people whose condition has improved on Cpap, but your doctor would be the one to talk to. You may get some anecdotes from people here though and why not do a little research (Google) and see what you can find out?

It's not a simple condition and I'm sure every patient is different in many ways - I don't think you'll find straightforward or easy answers - let alone ones that say X number of patients with cardiomyopathy improve on Cpap to some measurable extent within a particular time frame, if at all, though I'm not saying it couldn't happen to any given patient - I have no idea, but it's not like having your appendix out and therefore no longer having stomach pains within a day - far too many factors to consider, including all your lab test results and xray/MRIs, etc... to which we have no access and aren't doctors in any case.

galnextor
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2015 7:27 pm

Re: How Sleep Apnea affects the heart

Post by galnextor » Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:27 pm

Thanks!

I think what I really need to do is perhaps get a second opinion and maybe consult with the doctor who performed my sleep studies.

User avatar
Goofproof
Posts: 16087
Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:16 pm
Location: Central Indiana, USA

Re: How Sleep Apnea affects the heart

Post by Goofproof » Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:51 pm

There is a reason a Doctors Bussiness is called a Practice, and when they get it wrong, Malpractice. Not all doctors have the same ideals, training, or caring. Many are just trying to cover themselves and make money as fast as they can. The quality of the one you get often is the luck of the draw, the one that finished last in his class, is still called doctor. Jim
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!

"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire

User avatar
grayghost4
Posts: 1554
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 6:52 pm
Location: Norther Illinois
Contact:

Re: How Sleep Apnea affects the heart

Post by grayghost4 » Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:59 pm

the one that finished last in his class, is still called doctor.

and that Dr. might be a better DR. that the one that was first.
If you're not part of the solution you're just scumming up the bottom of the beaker!

Get the Clinicians manual here : http://apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-press ... tup-manual