OSA & HEART FAILURE/SVT/PUMONARY HYPERTENSION

I have been using CPAP therapy for about a month now, and wanted to share my story. In December 2008, I had a heart cath procedure done expecting to have stents put in my heart. But, surprisingly, my arteries were clear and I had little or no stenosis. I did, however, show severe pulmonary hypertension and Diastolic Heart Failure (DHS, right sided). I have suffered with severe sleep apnea for years, and I knew it, but just wouldn’t get a sleep study done. I was stubborn and did not want to sleep with some contraption strapped to my face like an “egor”. Didn’t sound real sexy to me.

In the previous 3 years, during sleep, I have gone into Supra Ventricular Tachycardia many times, 17 of those occurrences requiring cardio conversion at my local ER with an IV drug called Adenosine. My sleep apnea contributed to, and may have caused my pulmonary hypertension, and the numerous episodes of SVT induced by my body’s panic to lack of oxygen during these apnea episodes certainly contributed to my DHS. After my December 2008 diagnosis, I finally went to a highly acclaimed sleep clinic in Seattle, Washington and, as I knew I would be, was diagnosed with severe OSA. In fact, my OSA and hypopneas were so bad-- my oxygen at one point during the study dropped to 69%.

Since being on CPAP therapy, I have not had one occurrence of unconvertible SVT, and when using the machine, I can feel my hypertension easing, and my heart getting real happy. Prior to CPAP therapy, I would wake up with blood pressure of 156/49 and a pulse of 105-115, or in SVT with pulse rate of 168-212 bpm. I would wake up tired, have a headache and feel like crap. Now, on CPAP therapy, I wake up with a blood pressure around 105/60 with a pulse of 80-85 bpm. Wow! What a difference. Twice I have fallen asleep without my CPAP on in the past 30 days, and I woke up in Tachycardia! Instead of rushing to the ER, I grabbed my CPAP mask, took 2-3 minutes of CPAP therapy and converted on my own. Yes! Finally my answer. In my case, CPAP therapy has literally saved my life.

Southbank

Welcome to the forum and what a great story. Being open & facing reality takes 2 types of courage & you have shown both.

Your situation will be reassuring to so many others who visit here.

Cheers

DSM

Wow, what a story! I just wish you had been willing to try CPAP earlier!

Yes, wish I had started therapy earlier too. But, the good news, is it is never too late! I am getting better every day. Maybe my story will save someone from my fate, or give them hope that there is an answer towards improving their quality of life. Thanks for your reply.