Has sleep apnea caused heart problems.

[sisters2]

My son of age 46 was diagnosed with sleep apnea several years ago but could not get use to sleeping with the cpap and mask.  Now he has a very bad heart condition due to all those years of sleep apnea. Lack of oxygen to the heart.  It is very important that people take apnea serious.

[Trickletown]

At age 44 I was hit with congestive heart failure-stage 3. After a sleep study it was determined I had been suffering from apnea. I'm sure I had it for at least 20 years. I was prescibed bipap treatment and I am happy to say all the CHF symptoms stopped. It's been 10 years and I've never taken so much as a catnap without my trusty bipap strapped on! Recently, I've had some sinus issues, but that is far better than the heart failure that comes from untreated sleep apnea.

[pennst8r]

That is what got me to agree to commit to using my BiPAP even though I am claustrophobic and dont like things on my face. Heart disease is very prevelant in my family and I want to control what I can.

I started with the nasal mask and went to the full face since my mouth opens. I have to say my blood pressure has already gone down 10 points in the 5 or 6 weeks I've been on it.

I agree, bravo for spreading that part of it.

Penn

[KatEyes]

Thank you for doing your part to get the word out that sleep apnea can have serious health effects. For anyone else reading this who feels they cannot get used to using the machine and mask, the key is having a supplier and doctor who is really working with you to find what works, as some people try several masks before settling on one. It can take weeks or even months to get comfortable with it, but many never give it the time necessary to save their health and maybe even their life.

With few exceptions, anyone can get used to the mask if they have the mindset to never quit till it works. There are people who have really bad sinuses and maybe even a deviated septum that makes using a nasal style mask a problem, so need to be given a full face mask. Some may have an inset jaw that obstructs their airway, so the cpap may not solve their problem. But otherwise, there are solutions to almost every problem if we persevere.