enlarged heart from CPAP therapy?

[fishhead]

OK, a friend of mine just told me that she also suffers from sleep apnea but refuses to use CPAP therapy because she says it can lead to an enlarged heart (?). so, i did an internet search and from what i could find, it seems to me that its UN-treated apnea that can cause the enlarged heart. in fact, this article says cpap can actually reduce an enlarged heart.

http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/inde ... _redu.html

what have y'all heard? are there any other long term risks from cpap therapy that i need to know about?

[GumbyCT]

I have heard that she is in denial and that YOU are correct.

[Muse-Inc]

The hypertension that untreated apnea causes can enlarge the heart, can cause increased intrathoracic pressure, and many, many other heart-related changes.

[Goofproof]

Maybe your heart will enlarge from XPAP non-use, but the swelling will go down a couple of weeks after the ground covers your casket. jim

[Autopapdude]

Cardiomyopathy is NOT caused by xpap therapy. In fact, it can be a benefit to minimize the effects of congestive heart failure.

[kteague]

I was diagnosed with an enlarged heart prior to and during early cpap treatment. Last cardiac studies noted the size as normal. So I have had the opposite experience as what your friend thinks to be so.
Kathy
P.S. Ask your friend where she got her misinformation, and show her what you've found. Hopefully she'll be persuaded. If she has a dx of OSA, she surely should have discussed her concern with her doctor rather than nixing needed treatment. If she doesn't believe you, encourage her to ask her doctor.

[Komodo]

OK, a friend of mine just told me that she also suffers from sleep apnea but refuses to use CPAP therapy because she says it can lead to an enlarged heart (?). so, i did an internet search and from what i could find, it seems to me that its UN-treated apnea that can cause the enlarged heart. in fact, this article says cpap can actually reduce an enlarged heart.

http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/inde ... _redu.html

what have y'all heard? are there any other long term risks from cpap therapy that i need to know about?

It's just the opposite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Prior to cpap, I was RUSHED to the hospital, and put in in the cardiac ICU because of chest pain and swelling of my legs/feet. They poked and prodded, tested every part of my body,sent every freakin' doctor in the hospital in to see me, and still couldn't figure out exactly what was wrong with me, except that my heart was swollen. We called up my father-in-law's Cardiologist, and HE came down and checked me out. He told me to go see my Pulmonologist first, and if HE couldn't figure it out, to come back and see him again.
"My" pulmonoligist was on vacation, so I saw a different doc in his office. Never saw this doc before in my life, but AS SOON as I walked in the exam room, he told me I had sleep apnea! He sent me for a sleep study to double check, and he was right. Within a week of being ON cpap, the swelling in my legs was gone, as was the chest pains.

Tell your friend she doesn't know what she's talking about and get on xpap therapy as soon as possible!

[Patzee]

...additionally undiagnosed/untreated sleep apnea can lead to the heart "thickening", which is differentiated somewhat from an "enlarged heart" but very serious as is cardiomegaly. I can personally relate to you that one's quality of life - and for that matter, length of life! - is seriously reduced when the heart muscle thickens and is not diagnosed and treated.

It was my cardiologist who diagnosed my cardiomyopathy (heart thickening), ordered a sleep study, which resulted in my cpap therapy, and literally saved my life. Granted, I'll never quite be the same physically, but I am breathing and enjoying a full and happy life.

You were very wise and fortunate fishead, not relying on one person's opinion...something we all need to remember. I only hope your friend is shown and accepts the truth before it is too late.

patzee

[jnk]

. . . Cardiologist . . . checked me out. He told me to go see my Pulmonologist first, and if HE couldn't figure it out, to come back and see him again. . . .

Cardiologists. Ya gotta love 'em!

. . . what have y'all heard . . .

I happen to know you ain't from that far south, yankee.

I hope she listens to you, man.

jeff

[fishhead]

. . . what have y'all heard . . .

I happen to know you ain't from that far south, yankee.

I hope she listens to you, man.

jeff

just 'cuz i was born in the north doesn't make me a yankee.

i had a feeling she had her facts wrong. i will let her know what i've found, but i'm concerned that if she would not listen to her doctor, little chance she'll listen to me.

thanks for all your input...

and i mean that to ALL y'all.

[Pugsy]

but i'm concerned that if she would not listen to her doctor, little chance she'll listen to me.

I suspect that denial is looming large on her horizon. Grasping any perceived excuse not to face the facts.
Trusty 2 X 4 comes in handy.... My sister laid on the old guilt trip to her husband..."you must not love me, not want to live...." He has said he will give it another go.. The sore nose has long since healed up..

Until someone really faces up to what this is, there just is so much we can do..short of the 2 X 4..

[Cygnusia]

As someone who has an enlarged heart (heart problems run in my family) this is one the benefits of xPAP'ing that I'm looking forward to! I already don't feel that "tightness" in my chest that I often felt before starting my therapy.

[SleepyT]

. . . what have y'all heard . . .

I happen to know you ain't from that far south, yankee.

I hope she listens to you, man.

jeff

just 'cuz i was born in the north doesn't make me a yankee.

i had a feeling she had her facts wrong. i will let her know what i've found, but i'm concerned that if she would not listen to her doctor, little chance she'll listen to me.

thanks for all your input...

and i mean that to ALL y'all.

Hey, Fish....you are now officially an honorary southerner! You come on down to Virginia and we'll hook you up with some sweet tea...you hear?

[fishhead]

Hey, Fish....you are now officially an honorary southerner! You come on down to Virginia and we'll hook you up with some sweet tea...you hear?

well, thank ya,maam. reckon i will one day!