Angina and oxygen level

Posted By Tina on March 18, 1999 at 09:19:20:








Hi, I'm a 40 year old female. I have been told I have angina and I take nitro pills when I have chest pain. I also have emphysema and asthma. My doctor recently sent home an oximeter to record my oxygen level over night. It went to 83 and stayed in the low/mid 80's most of the night. My lowest heart rate was 40, the highest was 157. I was sent for a sleep study and it showed that I had sleep apnea. My oxygen level fell as soon as I laid down before I fell asleep so I don't think the sleep apnea is the only reason for it. I asked my doctor about treatment and he said none was needed, I should just lose weight. I'm concerned because I have read that low oxygen levels are hard on your heart. Since I already have angina/ischima (the doctor has called it both, are they the same thing?) couldn't the low oxygen level hurt my heart more, could it be why I have chest pains in the first place? Would you recommend any treatment for a patient with low oxygen levels and angina? Thanks,
Tina