Is it normal to have increased heart rate when us CPAP

Wondering anyone noticed heart rate increasing at night when CPAP mask is on? I have measured my heart rate with both ring and watch, the result is consistent. When I don't have mask on, my average heart rate is typically around 60 some times can be below that. But when I have the CPAP mask on, the average goes to 70+. It is a bit worrying for me. Wonder is it normal for people to have their heart rate increased with CPAP mask?

For background,
1. I'm on my forties.
2. I also noticed my heart rate increased a fair bit(10) during the day, but I'm not sure if that's related to the usage of CPAP or just my age.
3. I've been use CPAP for 3/4 years now have up and downs, some times I can get up to 8 hours sleep with mask on all night, sometimes can't sleep with CPAP mask on so can't use that for whole week. I did have problem with sleep before even without mask, this issue was a big blocker for my use of CPAP mask, but is getting better now.

Hi, just to be clear, you're asking about your heart rate NOT just "with the mask on" but with the machine on? The mask itself is not much help without the machine of course, but you keep referring to the mask vs using cpap (which one would assume you use a mask while doing it).

I wouldn't think your HR would increase during the day - at certain times? - by your having used Cpap (or just worn a mask?) overnight?

It would help us to help you if you can post Oscar results from 1-2 nights to look at and get a better idea of your sleep in general with Cpap... vs just using. If the forum's attachments limit is full, post on Imgur.com and leave a link to it in this thread - much more comprehensive than just a ring and/or watch.

Could some other thing be causing stress?
Talk to your doctor.

It's NOT normal to have an increased heart rate while using CPAP, but given that you are also noting an increased heart rate during the day, I'm not sure that you can blame it on CPAP.

Not using CPAP regularly, leading to poorly treated OSA, can be a factor in atrial fibrillation, perhaps you are in the early stages.

I'm guessing if you talk to your doctor about your findings, they won't be terribly concerned or convinced of the validity of the data you are citing, but it's worth a try.

ryan2008 wrote: ↑

Sun May 14, 2023 1:52 am

Wonder is it normal for people to have their heart rate increased with CPAP mask?

No. Untreated sleep apnea drives up the average heart rate while sleeping.

Which heart rate number are you quoting? The average for the night?

What is your treated AHI and leak level (lpm)?

Thanks for your reply Julie. Yes when I say "with the mask on" I mean sleep with the CPAP mask (and the machine) on. I don't have Oscar installed ATM, so I rely on the myAir apps and the apps of my O2Ring (Oxygen/Heart rate monitor https://getwellue.com/pages/o2ring-oxygen-monitor if it matters) plus my sports watch. The ring also provides date about ahi, It is around 20 ATM.

Julie wrote: ↑

Sun May 14, 2023 7:11 am

Hi, just to be clear, you're asking about your heart rate NOT just "with the mask on" but with the machine on? The mask itself is not much help without the machine of course, but you keep referring to the mask vs using cpap (which one would assume you use a mask while doing it).

I wouldn't think your HR would increase during the day - at certain times? - by your having used Cpap (or just worn a mask?) overnight?

It would help us to help you if you can post Oscar results from 1-2 nights to look at and get a better idea of your sleep in general with Cpap... vs just using. If the forum's attachments limit is full, post on Imgur.com and leave a link to it in this thread - much more comprehensive than just a ring and/or watch.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Sun May 14, 2023 4:25 pm

Could some other thing be causing stress?
Talk to your doctor.

My heart rate at sleep time is always lower (about 10/min), when I don't use CPAP machine, so feels to me it is not to do with stress, but not sure. Asked my GP, she knows nothing, trying to find a specialist.

Janknitz wrote: ↑

Sun May 14, 2023 5:04 pm

It's NOT normal to have an increased heart rate while using CPAP, but given that you are also noting an increased heart rate during the day, I'm not sure that you can blame it on CPAP.

Not using CPAP regularly, leading to poorly treated OSA, can be a factor in atrial fibrillation, perhaps you are in the early stages.

I'm guessing if you talk to your doctor about your findings, they won't be terribly concerned or convinced of the validity of the data you are citing, but it's worth a try.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Trying to book with a Doctor.

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Mon May 15, 2023 6:33 am

ryan2008 wrote: ↑

Sun May 14, 2023 1:52 am

Wonder is it normal for people to have their heart rate increased with CPAP mask?

No. Untreated sleep apnea drives up the average heart rate while sleeping.

Which heart rate number are you quoting? The average for the night?

What is your treated AHI and leak level (lpm)?

Thanks for share your experience.
Based on MyAir and my oxygen monitor ring, on good days (my heart rate still high) with CPAP on, my average heart rate is around 70, leakage is around 13l/min, AHI is around 5.
When I don't have CPAP on, my AHI is around 20, but average heart rate drops to 60.

" . . . sometimes can't sleep with CPAP mask on so can't use that for whole week."
After 3-4 YEARS, you are still having trouble keeping the mask on?
And you are baffled by increased heart rate?
This is why we encourage people to stick with it.
Your body is trying to tell you, "This is SERIOUS!"

When I don't have CPAP on, my AHI is around 20, but average heart rate drops to 60.

What's you source for info about your AHI when you "don't have CPAP on"?

I'm fascinated by the fact you have not even mentioned you oxygenation even once since you started this thread.