Can CPAP machine increase rate of breathing and blood pressure ?

dorisw · Post by **dorisw** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 1:05 pm

Hello all. I have been using CPAP machines for over 15 years, and I am not overweight ( well maybe I could loose 5 -8 pounds...) . Last spring I was due for a bi yearly check up in a sleep clinic but then COVID happened, so I have had no check up for almost 3 years now. I am trying to deal with high blood pressure and am wondering if at least some of it is connected to my nightly breathing pattern which I find is much quicker ( shorter inhalations and exhalations) during the night than during the day . When I wake up I am often surprised how quick my inhalations and exhalations are, and how my heart is racing. It seems that the machine is driving this pattern and not my body. Recently I have been practicing breathing techniques for reducing my blood pressure and found that after only 3-5 minutes of slow relaxed breathing my heart settles down and my blood pressure comes down by ca 20 pts. So my thinking is that this rapid nightly breathing for this many hours every night cannot be healthy for my body. The family Dr wants me to go to a clinic to get connected to one of those 24 h BP monitors, but I am hesitant- COVID is rampant in our city, I'd rather deal with this in my home if I can. Would appreciate your thoughts.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 1:10 pm

Using cpap won't cause the symptoms you are describing but having apnea events happen during the night because the machine isn't preventing them optimally sure could.

What brand and model machine are you using? Does it collect data so we can see what might be happening?

Having a holter monitor attached involves very little contact...the person attaching it will wear a mask...and so should you...and then a lot of the time it can just be mailed back for reading. I know because I have had one done.
I would worry more about going to the grocery store during covid than having the holter monitor put on.

Janknitz · Post by **Janknitz** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 3:38 pm

I used a Philips Respironics machine for the first 5 years, and its algorithm made me feel like I had to breathe at it's pace. But it was perception, not reality, and no way it speeded up my breathing or heart rate. It's just blowing AIR to splint your airway open. That's all it does.

If you let us know what machine you have, we will help you access the data, so you can see what's happening. It may be that your apneas aren't adequately treated, and you may be having issues related to that. If you are still having a lot of apneas, you are secreting a lot of stress hormones during the night. THAT speeds up your heart rate, increases your blood pressure, can be a factor in atrial fibrillation.

As Pugsy says, it's not very risky to get hooked up to a monitor, but if you won't do at least that, consider purchasing a recording pulse oximeter you can wear on your finger while you sleep.

dorisw · Post by **dorisw** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 5:42 pm

The machine I am using is a Remstar Respironics Cpap machine, an old work hose, but I Iove it for its solid construction and the large water tank. It does not collect data. After a bathroom trip at night I often struggle with the rhythm of the CPAP machine for a while. If I don't fall asleep soon, I notice that the airflow from the machine seems to trigger a breathing response in me that is quicker than in the day time, or when I am resting on a couch and reading. So, I assume that this response, while having been awake for a while is not because of an apnea episode. Although they may well also happen due to apnea while asleep. I do secrete a lot of hormones at night as I still get the occasional hot flashes although I am already in my 70's. I have learned to sleep on my back so not to disrupt the head gear or mask and usually wake up with my back all damp, possibly because of not moving, but possibly also due to night sweats.
About 1.5 years ago I was hooked up to a 24 h monitor, Can't remember the reason, but I do remember being uncomfortable and only being able to sleep a few hours with it. I was told that I had arrhythmia but at the time the Dr. did not make too much of it. I may have to re-visit this subject and do the monitor again.
I will also try my travel CPAP machine for the next night and see if it makes a difference. It is a Resmed S8 Elite II.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Wed Dec 30, 2020 5:45 pm

If you or your insurance can afford it, you'd be smart to get a much newer machine, e.g. the Resmed Airsense 10 auto ('for her' model) that'll let you use your old one for backup, give you lots of info and allow you to use Oscar so we can see what's what. As is, not much help without info.

cpap2 · Post by **cpap2** » Thu Dec 31, 2020 8:31 pm

dorisw wrote: ↑
Wed Dec 30, 2020 5:42 pm
The machine I am using is a Remstar Respironics Cpap machine, an old work hose, but I Iove it for its solid construction and the large water tank. It does not collect data. After a bathroom trip at night I often struggle with the rhythm of the CPAP machine for a while. If I don't fall asleep soon, I notice that the airflow from the machine seems to trigger a breathing response in me that is quicker than in the day time, or when I am resting on a couch and reading. So, I assume that this response, while having been awake for a while is not because of an apnea episode. Although they may well also happen due to apnea while asleep. I do secrete a lot of hormones at night as I still get the occasional hot flashes although I am already in my 70's. I have learned to sleep on my back so not to disrupt the head gear or mask and usually wake up with my back all damp, possibly because of not moving, but possibly also due to night sweats.
About 1.5 years ago I was hooked up to a 24 h monitor, Can't remember the reason, but I do remember being uncomfortable and only being able to sleep a few hours with it. I was told that I had arrhythmia but at the time the Dr. did not make too much of it. I may have to re-visit this subject and do the monitor again.
I will also try my travel CPAP machine for the next night and see if it makes a difference. It is a Resmed S8 Elite II.

I've had the same issue with waking up to use the restroom and then my heart is racing after getting back to bed. You might want to seriously consider wearing a monitor again, and seeing your doctor since you mentioned arrhythmia.

dorisw · Post by **dorisw** » Fri Jan 01, 2021 3:09 pm

For the past 2 nights I have been using my travel machine, a Resmed S8 Elite II. It has the same settings as the old Remstar Respironics. I felt much better breathing with it than with the old machine, it feels gentler and much less of a struggle for me. Also, on both days my BP readings were better after using the Resmed. Off course it is too early to tell if this trend will continue, in any event, I am retiring the old machine as of now. I have no extra health insurance, a new machine is at the moment not in the budget. At some point though I would like one that is fully automatic. Does one exist that eliminates a sleep clinic sleep over ? As soon as the holidays are over I will also make an appointment to get the 24 h monitor. Thanks for your encouragements towards it !

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Fri Jan 01, 2021 3:34 pm

dorisw wrote: ↑
Fri Jan 01, 2021 3:09 pm
Does one exist that eliminates a sleep clinic sleep over ?

Yep...full data and auto adjusts so fairly easy to dial in the pressure needs and most suppliers are familiar with them.
A lot has changed from when you got your first machine that has been a great old work horse for you. There is a way to test it to see if it is putting out the pressure it is supposed to be pushing...just in case it is starting to fail and causing sub optimal therapy.
Manometers will measure the pressure...can be store bought or DIY homemade.
I don't know how much time or energy you want to invest in that area.

As for new machine...research the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her model machine...full data, 3 modes of operation and a great machine...and OHIP considers it under the "cpap" category and will pay for it. For some reason they put it in cpap category instead of apap category which makes it something your OHIP will pay their normal portion for and not give you a hassle about it being APAP.

It's a really nice machine. Quiet and reliable and has a special mode of operation that you might or might not like but it's available.
You would have a lot more options. Full data and works with easy to use and free software.
Most places now are dispensing these machines instead of making people go to a sleep lab and use the machine in the sleep lab to figure out pressures.

cpap2 · Post by **cpap2** » Fri Jan 01, 2021 8:06 pm

Dorisw, Why only 24 hours wearing a Holter Monitor? Here, the patient wears it for a full 14 days!

zonker · Post by **zonker** » Fri Jan 01, 2021 8:27 pm

cpap2 wrote: ↑
Fri Jan 01, 2021 8:06 pm
Dorisw, Why only 24 hours wearing a Holter Monitor? Here, the patient wears it for a full 14 days!

where is here?

Okie bipap · Post by **Okie bipap** » Fri Jan 01, 2021 10:36 pm

The length of wear for a Holter Monitor depends on what the doctor orders. I wore mine for 30 days when they first found out I had AFIB.

dorisw · Post by **dorisw** » Fri Jan 01, 2021 11:08 pm

Pugsy the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her sounds very intriguing, I just read up on it. Having a machine that functions automatically without any input from a technician at a sleep clinic sounds ideal. Only, I am not comfortable with having a modem right beside my head all night...unless this feature can be de-activated. Or, would you know of a similar machine without a modem . Also, I have no cell phone, have no use for uploading capabilities.
My Dr. only talked about a 24 h period for a BP monitor. I doubt that our provincial health plan would pay for more, but will ask.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Fri Jan 01, 2021 11:13 pm

The calling home feature on the modem can be deactivated simply by going to airplane mode if you want to turn it off.
There is a way to actually remove it but if you do that your machine warranty will be voided and airplane mode works just as well.
You don't have to use MyAir if you don't want to.
All data that might be needed is on the SD card anyway.

More and more machines are going to these sort of modems but they can be turned off so they won't/can't transmit very easily.

dorisw · Post by **dorisw** » Fri Jan 01, 2021 11:28 pm

Thank you Pugsy that is good to know.
I just checked online, the cost for a 24 h monitor would be mine, it was quoted between $65 and $75 for the 24h period. I can see now why a Dr would not prescribe for much longer.....

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Fri Jan 01, 2021 11:40 pm

You are in Canada and most people here aren't...and they forget that things are done differently in Canada and despite what a lot of USA people think..not everything is free in Canada.

I think the length of time wearing the monitor depends a lot on what the doctor is looking for and probably insurance coverage as well.
I know I had one done a couple of years ago and it was just a 24 hour thing and I just mailed it back.
I hadn't been having any real exciting symptoms though...just felt like my pulse was racing when it shouldn't or I thought it shouldn't...so probably 24 hours was sufficient. I had to also keep a written log of my perceived pulse rate that I sent back with the monitor.

Can CPAP machine increase rate of breathing and blood pressure ?

Can CPAP machine increase rate of breathing and blood pressure ?

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Re: Can CPAP machine increase rate of breathing and blood pressure ?

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Re: Can CPAP machine increase rate of breathing and blood pressure ?

Re: Can CPAP machine increase rate of breathing and blood pressure ?

Re: Can CPAP machine increase rate of breathing and blood pressure ?

Re: Can CPAP machine increase rate of breathing and blood pressure ?

Re: Can CPAP machine increase rate of breathing and blood pressure ?

Re: Can CPAP machine increase rate of breathing and blood pressure ?

Re: Can CPAP machine increase rate of breathing and blood pressure ?

Re: Can CPAP machine increase rate of breathing and blood pressure ?

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