Big decrease in CPAP use and heart palpitaions...connected?

I have severe sleep apnea and have been very compliant for the last two years (since the diagnosis). Since July I have had huge decrease in compliance because of another health issue. I started having breif sudden heart flutters about a month ago. A few times a week at most. I just had one that lasted a lot longer and it got me thinking...is this related to the decrease in CPAP use? If so...if there's damage...is it permanent? Ugh...I don't need more health problems!

Ivan101 wrote:I have severe sleep apnea and have been very compliant for the last two years (since the diagnosis). Since July I have had huge decrease in compliance because of another health issue. I started having breif sudden heart flutters about a month ago. A few times a week at most. I just had one that lasted a lot longer and it got me thinking...is this related to the decrease in CPAP use? If so...if there's damage...is it permanent? Ugh...I don't need more health problems!

Yes they can be related to untreated OSA...but not necessarily permanent damage. So you know what to do. seriously...start using your cpap again.
J

It is possible. Apnea is associated with inflammation, and the heart is very sensitive to inflammation. You need to discuss it with your cardiologist and/or sleep doc.

I had premature ventricular contractions (feels like heart palpitating and skipping beats). After I stated on the CPAP I have noticed these sensations occur only rarely....and that is usually when I have a low blood sugar. So yes, I think it is related. You might want to check it out with your doctor.

I was referred to a cardiologist because of persistent palpitations which turned out to be ventricular ectopics. The cardio was the one who referred me for the sleep test. Apparently there is a two-fold mechanism at work. First the low oxygen sats aren't good for the heart muscle. Second, when you have an apnea there is a big shot of adrenalin associated with the arousal. Two much adrenalin too frequently can kick your heart into arrhythmia.

Since I've been on CPAP my palpitations have decreased significantly.

Yep, have had heart palpitation (PVC's) for about 15 years. Recently discovered my sleep apnea and have been on therapy about a month. Noticeable decrease in palpitations. Some things that I've been doing on an off (check with your doctor first) is taking cayenne (90k hu) 1/4 to 1/2 tsp (usually mix with some oj) and magnesium 200-400 mg. These are both excellent to reduce palpitations. Avoid caffeine and alcohol . If you are constantly craving chocolate it could be a sign of magnesium deficiency. Certainly avoid smoking and/or drug use. Check the labels on any prescription medication. Sometimes side effects can cause pvc's. Try to go on light walks or get some exercise.

Tech Guy wrote:Yep, have had heart palpitation (PVC's) for about 15 years. Recently discovered my sleep apnea and have been on therapy about a month. Noticeable decrease in palpitations. Some things that I've been doing on an off (check with your doctor first) is taking cayenne (90k hu) 1/4 to 1/2 tsp (usually mix with some oj) and magnesium 200-400 mg. These are both excellent to reduce palpitations. Avoid caffeine and alcohol . If you are constantly craving chocolate it could be a sign of magnesium deficiency. Certainly avoid smoking and/or drug use. Check the labels on any prescription medication. Sometimes side effects can cause pvc's. Try to go on light walks or get some exercise.

Good post Tech Guy...thorough. Most important is to keep cpap therapy on track.
I've been on cpap for almost two years and palpitations/PVCs are a thing of the past.
J

Thanks everyone. I still suspect it's related. Yesterday I got really tired and woke up tired again today. I just felt "heavy" so I laid down. I was rolled on my right side petting my cat and taking a deep breath was triggering chest tightness/pain/breathing problems. I rolled onto my back: nothing. Left side: nothing. So I remained on my back and tried to use meditation to make sure it wasn't somehow anxiety. Every 15 minutes or so I tried the right side, and every time, it got worse...time 5 also made it feel like my heart was beating out of my chest! I was also having more pain. I'm only 25 and don't have any cardiac risk factors...hence I wasn't running to the E.R. right away, but at that point I decided it was time to be looked at. Of course, after the 15 minute drive there laying on my right side was fine as was my EKG and stats. They checked my electrolytes, magnesium, etc but it was all normal so they sent me home. Although I emphasized the sleep apnea issue, no one there thought it was connected!? In fact, when I asked if I should follow up with my sleep dr or general dr they said it would be a waste to see my sleep dr. My gut says check with my sleep dr so I do have an email in to her. But I found it odd they didn't even think it was a possibility...I'm frustrated, and just hope What happened this morning doesn't happen again because it was really scary and a couple times when I rolled on my right I felt like if I didn't roll back to my back I would pass out soon...what if that happens while I'm sleeping? Is that possible?

I did go to the ER earlier. I have no chest pain since soon after I got there earlier...just very sleeping and a little flutter every now and then but I think that's more anxiety anyway. All my tests are fine and they said I am very low risk anyway. The only thing I have trouble believing is that my CPAP usage isn't related to this. In any event whatever is going on hopefully shouldn't hurt me overnight.

My experience with APAP and especially ASV is that these therapies knock out my moderate daytime/nighttime A-Fib and arrhythmia almost entirely...if not completely. I cannot categorically state that this will be the case for everybody, but for me it worked great and continues to work to this day. Hey, ASV knocked out my nocturnia too. Gotta love that.

Interesting post about the big shot of adrenaline--along with everything else--involved in sleep arousal due to low O2. I have had several episodes of lone atrial afib (no underlying heart issues) and I'm always glad to read anything related to this topic. My working theory is that low 02 levels associated with apnea have caused my afib. Add adrenaline to the mix...

Just as a heads up: if heart palpitations are an issue, or afib, be very wary of taking sudafed or any decongestants containing related stimulants. This includes many nasal sprays and cough syrups. Sudafed and its cousins are stimulants. I learned the hard way to avoid these drugs in lieu of my afib history. Very, very counter-indicated.

This makes dealing with colds while using cpap a whole new ball game. My plan, in part based on another thread here, is as follows: about an hour after a saline nasal flush, and just before bed, I'll use a steroid nasal spray, or a saline based nasal spray. Then, hopefully, during the brief moment in time when my nasal passages are open, I'll put on my already 'steaming' nasal pillows and go to sleep. The idea is to 'pre-heat' my humidifier so that there is humidified air already in my mask when I lay down. The hope is, the humidified air keeps my passages open.

sorry for the thread drift.

My original diagnosis was atrial fibrillation. I had no idea I even had it. But after a half dozen doctors and an overnight Holter monitor, they convinced me. Once they suggested afib I was told I probably also have Sleep Apnea, since they often go together.
First had an overnight SPO2 monitor to justify a full sleep study. My sleep study showed an AHI of only 84, so I started PAP therapy

My afib is apparently as bad as my SA but I seldom notice any indication of afib.

hegel wrote:Just as a heads up: if heart palpitations are an issue, or afib, be very wary of taking sudafed or any decongestants containing related stimulants. This includes many nasal sprays and cough syrups. Sudafed and its cousins are stimulants. I learned the hard way to avoid these drugs in lieu of my afib history. Very, very counter-indicated.

Good point about decongestants, cough syrups etc. I would also add OTC sleep meds like Unisom and the generics of this family. Glad you mentioned it because I forgot to.

PVCs during my sleep study got me a follow up Holter monitor and echo, then a visit to a cardiologist. First thing he said was "I see you have sleep apnea-- are you on CPAP?" When I said yes, he spent the next few minutes telling me about the SEVERAL heart conditions related to apnea. He takes out a picture of a heart and starts illustrating for me what happens to the heart when we experience low oxygen during apnea events.

He said "Stick with your CPAP, I expect your PVCs to be resolved by it. Will take a while, but your heart will eventually recover from the apnea you've been living with." He added that he's been on a CPAP machine since he was a teenager.

Iowamv wrote:PVCs during my sleep study got me a follow up Holter monitor and echo, then a visit to a cardiologist. First thing he said was "I see you have sleep apnea-- are you on CPAP?" When I said yes, he spent the next few minutes telling me about the SEVERAL heart conditions related to apnea. He takes out a picture of a heart and starts illustrating for me what happens to the heart when we experience low oxygen during apnea events.

He said "Stick with your CPAP, I expect your PVCs to be resolved by it. Will take a while, but your heart will eventually recover from the apnea you've been living with." He added that he's been on a CPAP machine since he was a teenager.

Fascinating. I am 30 and have had PVC's for years. They are fairly infrequent but since starting ASV a month ago they have truly gone down in number. Knock on wood.