Increase in blood pressure variability due to CPAP therapy?

[fijibear]

Hi all,

I am wondering if any of you have experienced increased variability in your blood pressure while starting out with CPAP therapy. I've been using it since November 11th, 2015, and since then, I have seen much more variation, and higher numbers than ever before. Ordinarily, I have pretty normal blood pressure, so this is really the only change that I can think of.

I didn't get a great night of sleep last night, and today it read 152/85 and the nurse freaked out. I have been feeling more lightheaded, and even had a couple of near fainting episodes, but my CPAP therapy is giving me more energy and reducing my brain fog.

Thanks in advance.

[Julie]

Hi, I'd get rid of that nurse!

Most people find their BP goes down on Cpap, but if you're having high anxiety before and during early usage, I suppose it could jump around. Are you watching your sodium? Are you using a home monitor (I presume so, but....) and has it been calibrated properly? Do you test at the same time every day (like right after getting out of bed, and/or before having coffee, etc.)?

[fijibear]

Are you watching your sodium?

No, I had never had a problem until now, so I will be in the future

Are you using a home monitor (I presume so, but....) and has it been calibrated properly?

No, all those measurements are a combination of data from doctor's visits and blood donations

Do you test at the same time every day (like right after getting out of bed, and/or before having coffee, etc.)?

There is a lot of variation in time of the day and situation in the data. The recommendation of an at-home monitor is a good one.

[Wulfman...]

A few questions........

Are you still using straight pressure (as per your previous threads)?

Are you checking your BP with a home machine, a machine in the doctor's office......or, are they checking it with a "cuff and stethoscope"?
Our own personal experiences has been that the (expensive) machines in my doctors office were junk and they started using cuff and scope and the numbers have been great since.

Are you checking your BP at the same times of day?

Are you taking any BP meds?


Den

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[Wulfman...]

Oops. I guess Julie had asked some similar questions, but I think there may be enough differences that I don't have to re-edit my previous post.


Den

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[fijibear]

Are you still using straight pressure (as per your previous threads)?

Yes

Are you checking your BP with a home machine, a machine in the doctor's office......or, are they checking it with a "cuff and stethoscope"?

The measurements are all machine based, but a mix of in the Kaiser office and at the blood donation center[/quote]

Our own personal experiences has been that the (expensive) machines in my doctors office were junk and they started using cuff and scope and the numbers have been great since.

Interesting...I'll make them do both next time

Are you checking your BP at the same times of day?

No, some readings are morning, some afternoon

Are you taking any BP meds?

No, and I'd prefer not to if I don't have to!

I will add that while I am feeling better with the constant pressure that you suggested, I have been more light-headed than usual, and the two aforementioned near fainting episodes. I have an appointment with cardiology this week to get a 30-day holter monitor, which I think is overkill as a 30-year-old.

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[Julie]

You're probably lightheaded because your pressure's gone down, so get up more slowly from bed and/or sitting and get your BP measured at the same time of day every time (pref. with a good home monitor now so you control what's what for the time being).

[Wulfman...]

From some of your answers, I think what you're trying to do is like trying to "nail Jell-O to a wall".
Our blood pressure changes often during the days, nights, etc., and there needs to be a methodical, consistent routine one should follow. Too many things can affect our blood pressure, too.


Den

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[SewTired]

I don't have any specific recommendations but wanted to mention that CPAP can increase acid reflux in some people. This can then result in chronic post nasal drip and THAT can result in higher blood pressure. Have this problem, which is why I mention it. CPAP doesn't CAUSE acid reflux but can increase what is already there.

[fijibear]

From some of your answers, I think what you're trying to do is like trying to "nail Jell-O to a wall".
Our blood pressure changes often during the days, nights, etc., and there needs to be a methodical, consistent routine one should follow. Too many things can affect our blood pressure, too.


Den

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Absolutely agreed, which makes me furious when a nurse tries to make medical decisions for me based on one high reading. I'll post again when I've collected some data over the course of a few days with an at-home monitor.

[fijibear]

I don't have any specific recommendations but wanted to mention that CPAP can increase acid reflux in some people. This can then result in chronic post nasal drip and THAT can result in higher blood pressure. Have this problem, which is why I mention it. CPAP doesn't CAUSE acid reflux but can increase what is already there.

Good to know. I thankfully don't seem to have problems with reflux at all, but I'll keep an eye out!

[BlackSpinner]

There are BP monitors on the market that are digital and keep history. They are not that expensive. That way you can take your BP during the day and see what the patterns are over a week or two.

Simple diuretics can do a lot and have very few side effects.

[49er]

fijibear,

I wanted to share my story because of what happened to you. I was consistently getting high readings in the PCPs office even though they were normal at home. She pressured me big time to go on meds and unfortunately, I initially listened to her. Fortunately, I realized before it was too late that what I could be experiencing was white coat hypertension and asked for a 24 hour blood pressure monitor that proved I was absolutely correct.

Incredibly, she didn't learn from this experience and pressured me again to go on meds. I had to send her a PM to remind her of my medical history. Anyway, I finally learned that before going to see her, I needed to take BP readings at home that always turned up normal. Finally, she stopped freaking out when I got a high reading.

Good luck with your situation.

49er