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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Shortness of Breath
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Shortness of Breath
by Jef__0__0, Nov 20, 1998 12:00AM
I am a 33 year obese male. I was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea 5 1/2 years ago. I was prescribed a CPAP machine to open up my airway at night while I sleep. I had wonderful success with this treatment, however, lately I have been somewhat concerned with mild shortness of breath. I have the sensation sometimes that breathing through my nose is less effective and that the air seems "stale"; as though there isn't enough oxygen. Do you know of any heart complications associated with the prolonged use of CPAP machines that I should look in to?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Cardio MD - MTR, Nov 20, 1998 12:00AM
Dear Jeff, thank you for your question. With sleep apnea, CPAP should reduce the incidence of cardiac complications from prolonged sleep apnea. Thus, I think you should see the pulmonologist who you saw for the CPAP machine about your shortness of breath.
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