Two Year Anniversary - CPAP Affect on Heart

[B_4]

I just wanted to share with the community that I am at my two year anniversary for my CPAP. I have mild apnea (AHI was 8.0) but my average event duration was 54 seconds with a longest duration of 120 seconds. I had a sleep study, after ignoring my wifes complaints, because a 2D echocardiogram revealed I had left ventricular hypertrophy, which is a thickenning of the left ventricle wall.

I have used my CPAP regularly for the past 2 years and I just got the results of my latest echocardiogram. My hypertrophy is gone (wall thickness reduced 20%) and all measurements are normal now.

I just wanted to share this with the community that CPAP therapy really can improve your health if you use it as prescribed.

God Bless,

B_4

[JohnO]

Great news! Thanks for sharing. It provides needed encouragement.

[MaxDarkside]

I have used my CPAP regularly for the past 2 years and I just got the results of my latest echocardiogram. My hypertrophy is gone (wall thickness reduced 20%) and all measurements are normal now.

I had an enlarged heart and LVH too and with my blood pressure meds and being "on the hose" my last echo was normal too ! Super! GO PAPPERS!

[Sir NoddinOff]

I too have an ongoing problem with high BP, mostly pre-CPAP. Now my BP is down by an average of 15%, both systolic and diastolic. My diet is better too, which may be a contributing factor, since I am no longer feeding my OSA/stress issues with too much caffeine, junk food and sugar. I hope this downward trend in BP continues.

[kaiasgram]

I hope the person who recently posted "is OSA a real illness?" reads this thread -- a documented heart condition that significantly improved after cpap therapy tells the story.

[The Sheikh]

Good going, B_4!

The body can repair many problems once successful sleep apnea treatment is ongoing. Even certain conditions of the heart - assuming the damage was not too severe and there isn't dead scar tissue involved. Your experience shows us how much the body wants to live.

It may not be as good as a chameleon growing a new tail, but the next best thing....

The body's "self-repair" concept really motivates me to stay on the hose.

T

[zoocrewphoto]

My blood pressure was in the 160s over 100-106 before cpap treatment. It is not consistently normal yet since my sleep is not consistent. But it has clearly responded to the cpap treatment and goes up and down based on my sleep.

I am on 3 medications, and it barely did any improvement with any of the 3 meds. The cpap treatment is clearly what is helping. I do have to go back to the cardiologist in a few weeks as my doctor wants me to have a checkup.

I don't dare give up or get lazy about this. The evidence is very clear to me. I can take my own blood pressure readings daily, and I keep them on a chart that also charts my sleep.

I just checked my blood pressure, and it was 117 over 80. That is extremely good for me. My lowest before cpap treatment was 140 over 90 something.

[themonk]

Good to hear good news, B4! Hopefully this will give hope to people who have issues and help convince people who don't yet have those problems. Hope is in short supply so thanks for adding a little!

[B_4]

Good to hear good news, B4! Hopefully this will give hope to people who have issues and help convince people who don't yet have those problems. Hope is in short supply so thanks for adding a little!

Thanks and that is why I posted. I think it is important to share when CPAP has improved your health. That is the whole point of using it.