Heart failure and CPAP

[CreativeChris]

Hello guys!

As I have posted before I have heart failure and have had a battle between the drugs and living. I have decided to make radical changes in my life and work completely remotely. Thankfully as a developer and designer I have this option. This will afford me more time to focus on my health and well being rather than spend 10-12 hours in front of 4 monitors.

As far as experience do you see a big difference with blood pressure and sleeping longer than 6-7 hours? My ultimate goal is to get off at least a couple drugs, lose some weight, and not constantly be gasping for air walking up subway stairs 4 times a day. Also while mentally I feel a million times better and can think more clearly thanks to nightly full time use of CPAP I still can't seem to keep my heart healthy and was wondering how long before the CPAP benefits cardiovascular health.

[Goofproof]

I have not seem a blood pressure change, I find no pressure changes from XPAP use. Losing weight would be a key, sometimes drugs must stay on, just to keep the machine going. As long as you can keep moving you are making progress. Eat healthy, get your sleep, maybe take supplements, anything you can keep the Wolf from the door, (Not You Den) Jim

[rcobourn]

I also have significant blood pressure issues. Weight gain or loss don't make any difference for me, I've had high BP since I was a painfully skinny 14 year old. CPAP also made no difference, although I certainly feel better. Doctors can't find any reason for my BP issue. Hopefully your results are better!

[D.H.]

I found that while I still needed to take blood pressure pills, they actually started working once I used CPAP.

[jnk...]

My understanding (not a doc) is that there is a certain specific kind of drug-resistant high blood pressure that appears to be directly related to bad sleep. And untreated severe OSA can also raise pressures. Those are arguments for doing what we can to keep the body from ever experiencing the stresses that can come from prolonged obstruction and for getting our sleep as good as it can reasonably get. But that does not make CPAP a true treatment for high blood pressure caused by other aspects of cardiovascular dysfunction/disease-states.

I do not consider myself to be pro-drug. But heart-doc opinions about specific drugs for specific patients based on medical history and family history are worthy of deep respect. That is not an argument against practical steps and lifestyle changes, but I'd definitely want to be working closely with my docs on it all, as I'm sure you are.

[jimbud]

My blood pressure is several points lower since therapy. S&D.
I will never be off drugs, but hope eventually be able to lower dosage.
Hope it helps you.
JPB

[Miss Emerita]

CC, great that you’re making a change that can help you do more for your health! When I saw that you live in Hoboken, I was reminded of some experiences of my brother, who used to live in Jersey City. I pass them along for whatever they’re worth.

He was a tech guy and had commuted in to lower Manhattan every day, but then seized the opportunity to start working from home. Over time he noticed he was feeling kind of cruddy and slowly figured out that (a) he was getting much less exercise every day, holed up in his apartment, and (b) he was getting much less exposure to direct sunlight and fresh air. Once he realized he needed to get himself out and about during the day every day, he started feeling better again.

[SDBud]

Hello guys!
Also while mentally I feel a million times better and can think more clearly thanks to nightly full time use of CPAP I still can't seem to keep my heart healthy and was wondering how long before the CPAP benefits cardiovascular health.

Using a CPAP won't FIX heart disease, but it will likely prevent or at least reduce further damage.

[Bigmike52]

He was a tech guy and had commuted in to lower Manhattan every day, but then seized the opportunity to start working from home. Over time he noticed he was feeling kind of cruddy and slowly figured out that (a) he was getting much less exercise every day, holed up in his apartment, and (b) he was getting much less exposure to direct sunlight and fresh air. Once he realized he needed to get himself out and about during the day every day, he started feeling better again.

I can relate to this as ever since I retired 2 years ago my health has taken a nose dive. I used to walk 4 to 10 miles a day and now with hip pain and arthritis, I have a difficult time getting around.

[multicast]

Hello guys!

As I have posted before I have heart failure and have had a battle between the drugs and living. I have decided to make radical changes in my life and work completely remotely.

[...]

As far as experience do you see a big difference with blood pressure and sleeping longer than 6-7 hours? My ultimate goal is to get off at least a couple drugs, lose some weight, and not constantly be gasping for air walking up subway stairs 4 times a day. Also while mentally I feel a million times better and can think more clearly thanks to nightly full time use of CPAP I still can't seem to keep my heart healthy and was wondering how long before the CPAP benefits cardiovascular health.

It's crucial that blood pressure must dip significantly during sleep. Apnoe won't let the pressure fall: I had 170 to 210 during nights without cpap, now it's between 110 and 125 -- even bit to high, but a drastic change. I'll suggest to measure your pressure during night to compare.

To my experience Cpap has also a positive effect on daytime pressure as well as weight loss: that "gasping for air walking up subway stairs" is well known to me. Only cure is weight loss. And sports: I'm riding my bike (a real one without motor) an hour daily. That has a positive effect on blood pressure as well.

I started Cpap about half a year ago, felt also "million times better" immediately and made some of those "radical changes"; lost about 60 pounds in that time. I'm now on about 100 kg @ 198 cm height, nearly ideal. A disadvantage: the Face ID of my iPhone didn't recognise me any longer, so I had to scan my face again. But there are advantages as well: cut the nails of your toes and breath simultaneously!

About that drugs: we won't overcome all of them. I'm now taking one pill of Losartan and one pill HCT, omitting beta blockers (which are evil both to your weight and your erectile functions). My pressure at noon now is 120/65 compared to 170/90 before at that time; it will raise (naturally due the circadian rhythm) towards the evening.

"CPAP benefits cardiovascular health" if you exploit that magic better feeling an *do* something (as sports) or *leave* something (namely calories). What worked for me: I take just a (opulent) breakfast each day, nothing else. May not work for everybody.

Mike

[CreativeChris]

CC, great that you’re making a change that can help you do more for your health! When I saw that you live in Hoboken, I was reminded of some experiences of my brother, who used to live in Jersey City. I pass them along for whatever they’re worth.

He was a tech guy and had commuted in to lower Manhattan every day, but then seized the opportunity to start working from home. Over time he noticed he was feeling kind of cruddy and slowly figured out that (a) he was getting much less exercise every day, holed up in his apartment, and (b) he was getting much less exposure to direct sunlight and fresh air. Once he realized he needed to get himself out and about during the day every day, he started feeling better again.

Nice to meet you Miss Emerita! I do have a home office that is sunny and while I do need to plant myself in front of monitors all day I will be able to work out again. Now with commuting and a 10 hour work day I am out of my house at 6:45 and not home until 8ish at night. At that point all I want to do is make dinner, read or watch a little TV, and crawl into bed by 10. I plan on keeping in a good eating and exercise routine. To ensure this happens I have already made sure that I have twice weekly plans to go to the gym with friends!

[CreativeChris]

Hello guys!

As I have posted before I have heart failure and have had a battle between the drugs and living. I have decided to make radical changes in my life and work completely remotely.

[...]

As far as experience do you see a big difference with blood pressure and sleeping longer than 6-7 hours? My ultimate goal is to get off at least a couple drugs, lose some weight, and not constantly be gasping for air walking up subway stairs 4 times a day. Also while mentally I feel a million times better and can think more clearly thanks to nightly full time use of CPAP I still can't seem to keep my heart healthy and was wondering how long before the CPAP benefits cardiovascular health.

It's crucial that blood pressure must dip significantly during sleep. Apnoe won't let the pressure fall: I had 170 to 210 during nights without cpap, now it's between 110 and 125 -- even bit to high, but a drastic change. I'll suggest to measure your pressure during night to compare.

To my experience Cpap has also a positive effect on daytime pressure as well as weight loss: that "gasping for air walking up subway stairs" is well known to me. Only cure is weight loss. And sports: I'm riding my bike (a real one without motor) an hour daily. That has a positive effect on blood pressure as well.

I started Cpap about half a year ago, felt also "million times better" immediately and made some of those "radical changes"; lost about 60 pounds in that time. I'm now on about 100 kg @ 198 cm height, nearly ideal. A disadvantage: the Face ID of my iPhone didn't recognise me any longer, so I had to scan my face again. But there are advantages as well: cut the nails of your toes and breath simultaneously!

About that drugs: we won't overcome all of them. I'm now taking one pill of Losartan and one pill HCT, omitting beta blockers (which are evil both to your weight and your erectile functions). My pressure at noon now is 120/65 compared to 170/90 before at that time; it will raise (naturally due the circadian rhythm) towards the evening.

"CPAP benefits cardiovascular health" if you exploit that magic better feeling an *do* something (as sports) or *leave* something (namely calories). What worked for me: I take just a (opulent) breakfast each day, nothing else. May not work for everybody.

Mike

I agree Mike. Carvidelol (beta blocker) was just awful. Such a double edged sword. While it drastically reduced my BP it made me pack on even more weight and have other side effects. I was just changed to Bystolic which seems to be working better for me with less other issues. I also do take Diovan HCT as well as a laundry list of other shit. The other issue from the heart failure is left bundle branch block which adds insult to injury.

I almost fell off my chair when you said "cut the nails of your toes and breath simultaneously"! Totally understand that! All in all I need to lose about 70 pounds and I will have the time to be more proactive in my health.

It makes me happy to hear that you are doing so well! But 220 lb at 6'4" is pretty damn good! I am 250lb at 5'11" so have a long ways to go.

[Goofproof]

Hello guys!

As I have posted before I have heart failure and have had a battle between the drugs and living. I have decided to make radical changes in my life and work completely remotely.

[...]

As far as experience do you see a big difference with blood pressure and sleeping longer than 6-7 hours? My ultimate goal is to get off at least a couple drugs, lose some weight, and not constantly be gasping for air walking up subway stairs 4 times a day. Also while mentally I feel a million times better and can think more clearly thanks to nightly full time use of CPAP I still can't seem to keep my heart healthy and was wondering how long before the CPAP benefits cardiovascular health.

It's crucial that blood pressure must dip significantly during sleep. Apnoe won't let the pressure fall: I had 170 to 210 during nights without cpap, now it's between 110 and 125 -- even bit to high, but a drastic change. I'll suggest to measure your pressure during night to compare.

To my experience Cpap has also a positive effect on daytime pressure as well as weight loss: that "gasping for air walking up subway stairs" is well known to me. Only cure is weight loss. And sports: I'm riding my bike (a real one without motor) an hour daily. That has a positive effect on blood pressure as well.

I started Cpap about half a year ago, felt also "million times better" immediately and made some of those "radical changes"; lost about 60 pounds in that time. I'm now on about 100 kg @ 198 cm height, nearly ideal. A disadvantage: the Face ID of my iPhone didn't recognise me any longer, so I had to scan my face again. But there are advantages as well: cut the nails of your toes and breath simultaneously!

About that drugs: we won't overcome all of them. I'm now taking one pill of Losartan and one pill HCT, omitting beta blockers (which are evil both to your weight and your erectile functions). My pressure at noon now is 120/65 compared to 170/90 before at that time; it will raise (naturally due the circadian rhythm) towards the evening.

"CPAP benefits cardiovascular health" if you exploit that magic better feeling an *do* something (as sports) or *leave* something (namely calories). What worked for me: I take just a (opulent) breakfast each day, nothing else. May not work for everybody.

Mike

While pulling the Yoke does wear you down, it seems like the strain of pulling the load helps to keep you going. Or Not, maybe it's that we are getting older every day. Jim

[Jack Burton]

As far as experience do you see a big difference with blood pressure and sleeping longer than 6-7 hours?

You mean this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_failure ?

In answer to your question, not so much.

My blood pressure was 180ish over 120ish last year at this time.
I had already been on cpap for ~5 years.

Things that helped me.
1. Getting a blood pressure monitor, glucose meter and scale to track my stats in a spreadsheet.
2. Taking blood pressure and diabetes medication.
2. Eating high fat and low carb.
3. Getting a gym membership and a good pair of walking shoes.
4. Cutting way back on the booze.

My blood pressure this morning @8:00 was 123/73 which is pretty typical for me now.

[raisedfist]

CPAP does indeed have positive benefits on blood pressure and heart rate. My heart rate is much lower and steady when using PAP therapy. My BP is normal as long as I don't do stupid things like abuse caffeine. I also don't have to get up in the night to use the restroom anymore.