Sleep apnea a silent killer for heart patients (Doubles deaths: study)

National Post ^ | April 10, 2007 | Tom Blackwell

[caveat emptor]

Heart-failure patients are twice as likely to die if they suffer from sleep apnea, yet most experience no symptoms of the insidious disorder and have no idea they face a higher risk, a new Canadian study has found.

The study's authors suggest that screening the 500,000 Canadians with heart failure for sleep apnea -- which involves problems breathing while asleep -- and treating those who have the condition could save countless lives.

"Although the overall death rate for heart failure has fallen ... it's still very high and it's still a very common cause of disability and hospital admissions," said Dr. Douglas Bradley, director of the University of Toronto centre for sleep medicine and a lead author of the study.

[caveat emptor]

The study's authors suggest that screening the 500,000 Canadians with heart failure for sleep apnea ...and treating those who have the condition could save countless lives.

Better late than never. Can be a very debilitating condition which leads to heart and other health problems, preventable with early treatment.

A female patient of Dr. Bradley, a woman now in her early sixties, appeared to need a transplant to survive, as her heart was ejecting a fraction of the normal amount of blood into the body -- "almost incompatible with life."

Her husband... noticed her stop breathing repeatedly at night and she underwent testing that revealed she had sleep apnea. With the CPAP device, her heart function is now back to normal..

Not breathing repeatedly is a definitive test for sleep apnea, but a medical confirmation is likely required for CPAP treatment. A small monitor can be inexpensively rented and used at home if one wants to avoid the expense and inconvenience of an overnight stay in a medical facility.

[The Great RJ]

I have sleep apnea and have used a CPAP successfully for 10 years. The difference in my quality of life was immediate when I started using a CPAP and I have even gone camping and traveled to Europe without problems. Sleep apnea can be a silent killer, check with your doctor if you have excessive daytime tiredness, loud snoring, a sleep partner who reports you stopping breathing during sleep or an increase in your shirt collar size as an adult.

[Vigilanteman]

The study's authors suggest that screening the 500,000 Canadians with heart failure for sleep apnea -- which involves problems breathing while asleep -- and treating those who have the condition could save countless lives.

Why? They're probably mostly white people and unlikely to contribute to the diversity of Canada. It would also add more work to the overburdened free health care system. < / sarcasm >

[aberaussie]

bttt

[SnarlinCubBear]

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[ckilmer]

My father was diagnosed with sleep apnea year before he died because he was having regular angina attacks at night. The extra oxygen he got at night with the mask and positive pressure gave him an extra year of life.

[i_dont_chat]

Ditto, your remarks. I have used a CPAP machine for 15 years. Seriously, I think this has added a decade to my life. I sleep all night now, and feel rested and refreshed in the morning. Sleep apnea is one of the most under-diagnosed ailment in our society.

[-YYZ-]

“or an increase in your shirt collar size as an adult.”

Huh? I suppose this has something to do fat in the neck area?

[Tokra]

Ihave sleep apnea and have used a CPAP successfully for 10 years. The difference in my quality of life was immediate when I started using a CPAP and I have even gone camping and traveled to Europe without problems. Sleep apnea can be a silent killer, check with your doctor if you have excessive daytime tiredness, loud snoring, a sleep partner who reports you stopping breathing during sleep or an increase in your shirt collar size as an adult.

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea ( I also had a massive heart attack 9 years ago). I just cannot wear that mask. I've tried and tried and I find it so uncomfortable I cannot sleep with it. I've tired waiting until I'm just drifting off before I put it on - but I wake up in the middle of the night and find I have pulled it off.

It must be the shape of my face - they have given me 3 different masks and none of them fit. They are so tight they dig a ridge into my face. If I loosen it just a hair - then the air starts leaking out of the edge. There doesn't seem to be any in-between for me.

I heard a radio ad once for a "maskless CPAP" - but I've never heard it again to find out more about it.

The specialist I saw told me not to bother with the surgery - he said it was useless. He also said the nasal strips you see advertised on TV are also useless.

I keep hoping technology will invent something besides the God awful CPAP mask.

[6ppc]

I heard a radio ad once for a "maskless CPAP" - but I've never heard it again to find out more about it.

When I got my CPAP they had an option for a nasal type "mask" that looked sort of like the nasal oxygen gadgets. You might check with your doctor about that option.

[The_Victor]

This is probably the site related to the radio ad you heard.

http://www.nomask.com/

[Tokra]

Thanks! I may give this a try.

[caveat emptor]

I have sleep apnea and have used a CPAP successfully for 10 years.

My first CPAP was a modified vacuum cleaner. Most of my camping had been backpacking, which was no longer possible, but I have continued hiking and car-camping. My latest CPAP is lightweight and draws very little current. I recently bought a small, sealed deep-cycle battery which is packable and plan some overnight outings after a very long hiatus.

[caveat emptor]

It must be the shape of my face - they have given me 3 different masks and none of them fit. They are so tight they dig a ridge into my face. If I loosen it just a hair - then the air starts leaking out of the edge. There doesn't seem to be any in-between for me.

There's a company called Resmed which makes CPAPs and face masks, retailed by Vitalaire in my area, which might help. The pump exerts a very gentle pressure, not like the old Hoover-type pumps, and the mask has an inner, gossamer-like flap which presses gently against the face. The pressure applied by the mask is minimal, and there are no leaks.

You might also consider a hose with an adapter for adding a flow of oxygen, which may allow reducing the pressure.