Reduction in Blood Pressure?

[GrantT]

Hi all,

Just got started on CPAP about a week ago...going well and I'm adjusting quickly to the machine/mask. Already starting to sleep better.

Anyways...the question I have is for high blood pressure sufferers....how long after starting use of a CPAP machine did you start to see a reduction in blood pressure (assuming the sleep apnea was the cause of the high BP to start with.). I went to the doctor because I knew I had sleep apnea just from wife reports, and he also said my blood pressure was much higher than even before in my medical history. So, I am hoping that the CPAP will drop it back down without meds...just wondering if anyone else carefully monitors their BP and how it relates to CPAP use.

Grant

[NightMonkey]

Effective CPAP therapy + Good sleep hygiene + good exercise program + reasonably good diet + no smoking + limited alcohol = lower blood pressure.

Don't omit any part of the equation.

Don't forget you need measures to know whether your CPAP therapy is highly effective. If you don't have data then get it ASAP.

It makes no sense to ask how long after starting CPAP did BP drop. You also need to know what is going on in the person's life with the other parts of the equation.

[GrantT]

Effective CPAP therapy + Good sleep hygiene + good exercise program + reasonably good diet + no smoking + limited alcohol = lower blood pressure.

Don't omit any part of the equation.

Don't forget you need measures to know whether your CPAP therapy is highly effective. If you don't have data then get it ASAP.

It makes no sense to ask how long after starting CPAP did BP drop. You also need to know what is going on in the person's life with the other parts of the equation.

Thanks for taking the time to comment....that's why I mentioned "Assuming the sleep apnea was the cause of the high BP to start with...."

I am in decent physical shape (work out, not overweight, could jog a mile in 10 minutes), eat well, do not smoke, only drink socially, and even track my BP daily. So based on the ASSUMPTION that the sleep apnea is the primary cause of a high BP problem...(and there must be others out there in the same situation), I am wondering if anyone, based on past history, starting to see changes, and over what period of time...

Grant

[jamiswolf]

Hi Grant,
I've had high blood pressure for over 20 years. After starting on cpap, I was able to cut my Lisinopril dosage in half. I still have some risk factors that I need to work on, but the cpap component was fairly dramatic. I started feeling light headed from low blood pressure.

I hope your cpap therapy goes well...
J

[xm41907]

I've been on a machine for about 6 weeks and my blood pressure has been great. That being said, my sleep apnea has not bee controlled well with the machine. In fact, last night was the first night it's actually been "controlled", meaning an AHI of less than 5. I think the biggest improvement came not from being on a machine, but a change in my diet that started the same day I went on the machine. I quit drinking coffee/caffeinated tea, eating fast food, and have been eating a more whole-foods plant based diet. Within 3 days of these changes, my blood pressure was so great, I cut out the meds. **My disclaimer, I did not consult with my doctor about this, but I check it about 4-5 times a day and it's been better without meds and on the diet than it was eating unhealthy and on meds. I can really tell the difference when I eat a lot of salty foods. The next day, it will be elevated (around 135/85) from my now average of 127/83. I'm sure that as my apnea gets controlled, it will further reduce.

I feel the need to reiterate this. I check my blood pressure often, and have been very cautious with the reduction in meds. BP is not something to be taken lightly, and constant measuring is a must, both on and off meds. For me, this is working quite well, but if I feel that my BP is going back up, I'll go right back on the meds. For now though, I'm doing well.

Now for your situation, I think it will vary according to how you address the factors Night Monkey mentioned. You say you eat well, but what does that really mean? No fast/junk food? What about the amount of meat/dairy to veggies? How much salt do you eat? You said that you can jog a 10 min mile, but how often do you do that? What exercises do you do? Cardio vs strength?

I don't expect you to answer all of these here, but just to get you to think about them. Figure out what can you improve upon and try that. The blood pressure will take care of itself. Frankly, I'd be more concerned with how effective the CPAP is working for you right now. Do you have a model that tracks efficacy data, and are you reading it?

[Sheriff Buford]

I started using my cpap machine on Thursday: July 22, 2010. I still eat the same crappy foods (burgers, chinese take out and sanwiches) - any before anyone says anything... I limit my donut intake!! I also drink several cups of cofee each day.... so these are my numbers, and my lifestyle hasn't changed. I check my blood pressure twice a day. I attribute the numbers below to cpap therapy:

2010 Blood Pressure Average = 169.88 - 90.51 - 85.33
2011 Blood Pressure Average = 156.8 - 85.66 - 83.14
2012 Blood pressure average = 147.31 - 84.85 - 79.1

[NightMonkey]

I am in decent physical shape (work out, not overweight, could jog a mile in 10 minutes), eat well, do not smoke, only drink socially, and even track my BP daily.

That is great and I would suggest adding two things. One is resistance training to go along with jogging. I would even say to convert jogging to brisk walking which is better for weight control and longterm health of joints (knees in particular).

Second, get a CPAP machine with software so you can monitor the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of your treatment.

Good luck.

[xm41907]

I'll second the resistance training, but will recommend an alternative to brisk walking/jogging. I'm an avid runner and over the last few years, I've become a run/walker. Basically, I structure my running into intervals. Typically I do about 1:30 of running to 1 minute of walking. This method really cuts down on the impact on the body and helps you prolong the workout. I even have run my first marathon and half marathon last year doing run/walks. For long distances like that, you'll most likely go faster overall as you will not tire as easy. For shorter distances, it will be a bit slower. My average speed for a straight 5K is between 9:30-10:00 minutes per mile. When I run walk, my running pace is usually a much faster speed, around 8:15-8:45 minute mile. Of course, the walking offsets this at around a 15 minute mile. One thing I've noticed with my breathing is that I'm not huffung and puffing near as much with the run walks. My lungs have adapted to the shorter bursts and I recover much quicker between runs and at the end of the exercise. For more info, check out http://www.jeffgalloway.com/

[GrantT]

I am in decent physical shape (work out, not overweight, could jog a mile in 10 minutes), eat well, do not smoke, only drink socially, and even track my BP daily.

That is great and I would suggest adding two things. One is resistance training to go along with jogging. I would even say to convert jogging to brisk walking which is better for weight control and longterm health of joints (knees in particular).

Second, get a CPAP machine with software so you can monitor the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of your treatment.

Good luck.

Resistance training is already a go....I have a Bowflex Revolution which I have just started using again after about a year of sluggishness. Winter here in Alberta can make outdoor walking/running difficult, but spring is coming so I am ramping that up.

My CPAP machine is a Fisher/Paykel...I think the ICON Auto...(how do you tell the difference betwen the "Auto" and the "Novo"?

I just starting trying to determine how I can get the data off the card....any thoughts? While the respitory therapy store I got my CPAP from will do the analysis for free, I would like to keep closer tabs on things myself!

Grant

[jandi]

I have been on CPAP for 5 years due to almost constant headaches and migraines - causing low Saturated Oxygen 82% (minimal snoring). But I recently developed high BP 140/95. Following 24 hr BP monitor the specialist said it is known that CPAP actually raises your BP at night . But as it is also high through the day I am now on BP medication. I would have thought you would be totally relaxed at night from not having to struggle for air, and that this would be reflected in normal BP.

[GrantT]

I have been on CPAP for 5 years due to almost constant headaches and migraines - causing low Saturated Oxygen 82% (minimal snoring). But I recently developed high BP 140/95. Following 24 hr BP monitor the specialist said it is known that CPAP actually raises your BP at night . But as it is also high through the day I am now on BP medication. I would have thought you would be totally relaxed at night from not having to struggle for air, and that this would be reflected in normal BP.

I am far, far, far away from knowing anything for fact on this, but a quick Google search disagrees "the specialist"....everything I read says it reduces it, and here are some references. I am interested in anything on the topic though....

G

Pepperell JC, et al. (2002). Ambulatory blood pressure after therapeutic and subtherapeutic nasal continuous positive airway pressure for obstructive sleep apnoea: A randomised study. Lancet, 359(9302): 204–210.

Becker HF, et al. (2003). Effect of nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment on blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Circulation, 107(1): 68–73.

Norman D, et al. (2006). Effects of continuous positive airway pressure versus supplemental oxygen on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure. Hypertension, 47(5): 840–845.

[jandi]

Thanks, GrantT
I will be interested to find those references and read them. The specialist's comments worried me, but I didn't think it made sense.
jandi

[ChicagoGranny]

the specialist said it is known that CPAP actually raises your BP at night .

Raises it as compared to what? Lying there all night having apneas, having your oxygen levels drop, having your heart rate soar, having excess cortisol streaming through your blood?

I think the specialist specializes in damn idiocy.

[Vader]

FWIW, my BP came down quite a bit after starting cpap therapy, but as I recall, it took a little while.

After taking BP meds for several years, my pressure ( which is currently around 116/71) was never really satisfactory until CPAP therapy,

[mayondair]

My BP was borderline, doc would have been pushing meds, but over several months it dropped, mostly 129/80-140/90 now. I eat at the same diner as Sheriff Buford , I also try to limit my donut intake. No one in their right mind would want me to give up morning coffee .