OSA and Heart Related Problems

[kazandmal]

Hi

I was diagnosed 7 weeks ago (I also have a thread in Introductions, New and Concerned) and this week started on my weeks trial auto cpap, which after only using it 2 nights am convinced that it is going to be of great benefit.

I am female, age 47, have 44 episodes per hour and have bmi of 45.7, I have also been referred by my consultant to the cardio respiratory dept, which I will attend on 1st December.

Has anyone else had a referral like this and what has the outcome been? I am aware the OSA can seriously affect the heart if left untreated, and I have probably had this condition for several years given how long I have had the symptons but thought nothing of them, so am now worried that I may have developed coronary artery disease or heart failure - does anyone know how common this complication is for OSA sufferers.

thanks for reading.

[James @ Intus]

That can be answered by flipping the question around:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070520183533.htm

The nighttime breathing disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea increases a person's risk of having a heart attack or dying by 30% over a period of four to five years, according to a new study.

http://www.smrv-journal.com/article/S1087-0792(07)00101-3/abstract

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been shown to have several beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Uncontrolled studies indicate that it reduces cardiovascular risk in patients with severe OSA and increased risk or manifest coronary artery disease.

Also:

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/researchers-found-that-sleep-apnea,1048599.shtml

A new study published in the latest issue of Neurology Journal discovered that sleep apnea, including obstructive, central or mixed apnea, was present in 50%-70% of stroke patients.

Getting the sleep apnoea under control and then bringing down the BMI is key to protecting the rest of your body.