blood pressure going up

[lvehko]

Hey everyone -- I haven't been here in a while, nice to see everyone's still here and hosing.

I posted a while ago about having finally found a good fit for a mask, the F&P Aclaim mask. It fits great, doesn't leak, and is so comfy. So I've had a good long stretch now of using my CPAP - since June of last year.

However, shortly after I started CPAP, my blood pressure started to go up. It's not *high*, just slightly elevated. Before I started CPAP, my blood pressure was always 90/70; now, after CPAP, it's regularly 110/80. I've also gained a couple of pounds, maybe ten, after starting CPAP. Aren't these numbers supposed to be going the other way?

Another thing that freaks me out is that I can never get my AHI below about 4.0. It wasn't high to begin with -- only a 6 at my initial sleep study. i.e., I barely even 'qualified' as having apnea at all! However, after using the CPAP machine for a few months, I could tell I was sleeping better, and felt less tired during the day, so I think it's doing what it's supposed to be doing. But this blood pressure/weight gain thing is bizarre. Has anyone else noticed an increase in their blood pressure after starting CPAP? I *have* heard that people occasionally gain weight after CPAP, and I guess that ten pounds could have pushed my pressure up, but my pressure was up before I gained that weight. Anybody have any thoughts?

Thanks -- Minerva

[Ergin]

BP of 110/80 is normal, while 90/70 is low.
I wonder if you are receiving any other treatment besides appnea.
Did you suffer from anemia?

[neverbetter]

your in the normal range

[Ric]

Before I started CPAP, my blood pressure was always 90/70; now, after CPAP, it's regularly 110/80.

Some days I would cheerfully trade my diastolic for your systolic. Fortunately mine's under control most of the time, but at a price. When I started APAP a year-and-a-half ago the BP went down s-o-m-e. Some people experience that, especially if it is caught early on. Exercise helps even more (running and/or racquetball every day), but even that is not enuf. [even tried "clean living", only briefly, didn't seem to be working ]

In your case, I really doubt the xPAP accounts for your observation of a mild increase, from a low-low-normal to a low-normal. Age can do that too, as you are probably aware. (I assume you are older than you were when you were younger than you are (?) ) My question for you is, what are you doing RIGHT!? Obviously something. Tell us your secret!

-Ric

[lvwildcat]

Minerva-I posted my response in your poll. Sounds like you at an extent

[Rabid1]

Yours is somewhat of a unique situation.

Most apnea sufferers have high BP because of the extra strain placed on the heart.

Your numbers indicate you have very mild apnea. Your numbers after CPAP are only two lower than pre-CPAP. I find it interesting that you were even put on CPAP with an AHI of only 6.

I can't see any reason CPAP therapy would be causing an increase in your BP. I'd look in another direction, if you're concerned.