Sleep Apnea/Atrial Fibrillation-Anyone Else?Did CPAP Help

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea a few months ago and like everyone else am still experimenting with masks, taping, etc. However, I also have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation always occurring during sleep and we know there is a correlation between the two.

Is there anyone else out there with the same condition and did CPAP use help to decrease the afib episodes? I am hoping for some encouragement.

Thanks.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

beneyw wrote:Is there anyone else out there with the same condition and did CPAP use help to decrease the afib episodes? I am hoping for some encouragement.

Yes and yes, respectively. In my case, the afib was my major complaint along with the myriad effects from it. Never had a problem with afib during the day though, and my afib resolved within minutes of awakening, usually within ten seconds. I haven't been entirely afib free since starting xPAP, but nearly so, and more importantly, the incidents of afib have been less and less frequent. The way I look at it, my heart has been slowly reversing some of the damage caused by years of apnea abuse.

Of course I also exercise more now, eat better and sleep better. I started xPAP treatment just over six months ago, and I'm just tickled the way things have worked out so far.

How's that for encouraging?

Regards,
Bill

Have you asked your Cardiologist about starting a aspirin regiment if not already on one?

I would... and do so with 325mg/day and not that 81mg baby stuff they are now finding ineffective. Been on daily aspirin for more than 5yrs, works as good if not better than Plavix in my opinion.

http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/ccj ... 00/jan.htm

I have been on ASA (aspirin) for many years.

The issue of the sleep apnea helping the afib is what information I am seeking. It makes sense that if you awaken from a deep sleep, oxygen deprived, there is a rush of adrenalin to get you breathing again. That is the cause of afib in a lot of people.

I am hoping the use of CPAP will at least, alleviate some of the episodes of atrial fibrillation which for me can last a few days at a time.

I had an episode of atrial fibrilation about 1 1/2 yrs ago while skiing in Colorado ( my home state ). It was a fairly serious episode in that it took the emergency room doc nearly 3 hours to get me back to normal sinus rhythm. That event lead to quite a barrage of tests. After my HMO squeezed a considerable amount of co-pays out of me they finally referred me to their sleep disorders clinic. After an at home diagnostic monitoring session I was diagnosed as having moderate level sleep apnea. I've been on CPAP therapy for about 1/2 yr and haven't had another episode of atrial fib. I've never been given a thorough explanation of the correlation between atrial fib and sleep apnea. This thread motivates me to bring the subject up again the next time I see my pulmonologist at the sleep apnea center. I also have a type of spinal arthritis called ankylosing spondalitis which has resulted in very limited thorasic expansion ( shallow breathing ). There is evidence of a higher incidence of sleep apnea with this condition. I'm trying to understand the interrelationship between these 3 conditions. If I find out what specific and/or theoretic correlations there are between atrial fib and sleep apnea I'll post it here.

Sorry, I'm not a guest. Forgot to log in. BTW, my threapy is going quite well, especially since I started using the ResMed S8. Let me know if you find out what correlation there is between atrial fib and sleep apnea.

[quote="beneyw"]I have been on ASA (aspirin) for many years.

The issue of the sleep apnea helping the afib is what information I am seeking. It makes sense that if you awaken from a deep sleep, oxygen deprived, there is a rush of adrenalin to get you breathing again. That is the cause of afib in a lot of people.

I am hoping the use of CPAP will at least, alleviate some of the episodes of atrial fibrillation which for me can last a few days at a time.

I also have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and have been on a CPAP for sleep apnea for over a year. My afib has improved greatly but it took a couple of months in the beginning as I adjusted to the machine and mask. Right at first I even had a slight increase in episodes. But then I went for nine months without a single incident.

I take amiodorone for the afib too, but had been taking it for a couple of years so I’m sure the treatment for sleep apnea is making a big difference. My sleep doc said it would improve, but I didn’t believe her. Now I do.

Hope the same is true for you.

I am on Coumadin, Plavix, Zocor, K-Dur, Lopressor, Lasix, Altace, Celebrex, Methotrexate, Folic Acid, Omeprazole, and Amiodrone. Of course the Omeprazole, K-Dur, and Folic Acid are taken to combat the destruction caused by the other drugs.

In the past I have had open-heart surgery, four stents, one congestive heart failure event, and three shock treatment for A-Fib. Since most of my A-Fib events have been during sleep, I'm on xPAP to:
1) Cut down and ultimately stop taking the Amiodrone.
2) Cut down and , maybe, stop the Lopressor.

Otherwise, I won't be able to pay for all these drugs when I retire.

No, I don't take asprin,