What came first; the Pressure or the Leak?

[mhorowit]

Assume no obstructive events are occurring.
If a leak occurs, the pressure reacts upward. Is the machine attempting to maintain the Minimum CPAP Pressure? - Mike

[LinkC]

I would guess yes. That's how I would expect it to react to a constant leak in the absence of AH events.

[Guest]

Actually, while the machine may work harder to maintain pressure it shouldn't increase pressure.

[azmanatheart]

I'd really like to know also. Every apnea event or block of events on my data report is accompanied by a leak increase. They are simultaneous. Is the machine increasing pressure to quell apneas or to compensate for the leaks?
Purely based on my own experience and how I feel, I tend to think the apneas are real, and the mask leaks from the increased pressure, because when I look back on days with a low AHI, I feel much better than on days with AHI;s above 10 -15. My sleep doctor agrees that the apneas are real and the machine increases the pressure, and leaks occur(low level, not LARGE leaks). But it would be interesting to hear from other more experienced users with APAP machines or somebody who know the logarithms in these things.

[Velbor]

In response to a leak (which is within machine specifications), machines increase airflow volume, not pressure.