afib and sleep apnea

[marykhall3]

my drs tell me that if my sleep apnea is effectively treated my afib may improve dramatically. Anyone else hearing this

[BobD Volunteer]

Sleep apnea can affect AF if you already have it but I think it unlikely that the AF will go completely if SA is treated although it may reduce your events.

[rosyG]

yes I have heard doctors say it has to be treated before AF can be resolved

[tibetan36]

Bringing sleep apnea under control did nothing for my AF! I think it is hard to measure any difference as any improvement could be caused by other factors eg stress etc!

[Mickey16]

Chicken or egg? ..... My SA went when my AFib was treated....

[CDreamer]

I use CPAP machine after ablation. I was found to have very slight sleep apnea after a sleep test. My EP recommended me to take treatment saying that sleep apnea is one of the most common causes of AF reappearing after a successful ablation. It then turned out that I also have Myasthenia gravis.

Since using the CPAP machine I sleep through the night without waking, no more getting up to pee and I started losing weight again and no reappearance of AF. I now need the machine to support my breathing whilst asleep because of the Mg but the treatment has improved my general health and wellbeing greatly. The treatment takes a while to get used to and it's not exactly sexy, but it is non invasive and effective so why wouldn't you take it if it helps?

There is a link, that seems clear, but as our bodies are a variable series of very complex systems, I think cause and effect is impossible to prove.

[marykhall3 in reply to CDreamer]

thanks so much i failed cpap due to vomiting yuck even with lots of adjustments. I am now preparing to try a dental device they say is more effective but more expensive. we shall see what happens. I would love to loose weight and have more energy

[CDreamer in reply to marykhall3]

I can see why it doesn't suit all, I had days when I felt I was blown up like Michelin Man - I think because I swallowed too much air but thankfully I adjusted well.

Good luck with the dental device.

[Hidden in reply to marykhall3]

My husband used CPAP for several years, lost weight, and became a candidate for new dental "Snore-Guard." While not everyone is a candidate it really works for him (and me--no snoring). Would see a specialist for this device, not just an average dentist trying to get on board with new source of income.

[Hidden]

Ummmm...not sure whether its sleep apnea causing AF or vice versa. I was sleeping poorly after AF diagnosis and accompanying anxiety; I was tested for sleep apnea and evidently OK.

Since then being AF free, taking Mg supplement and doing some limited relaxation exercises I don't have the same problem.

[Cypbill]

Hi, I can comment first hand on Sleep Apnea and AF. Having suffered with sleep apnea for quite a number of years the condition was only investigated when matters progressed to include AF episodes whilst I was sleeping. The AF manifested as episodes usually around 01:30 in the morning at which time I woke with chest pain and rapid heart rate, episodes lasting around 2 hours. A sleep study revealed I stopped breathing on many occasions whilst asleep and there were a number of large pauses in my heart rate. I was eventually provided with a CPAP machine and the sleep apnea stopped almost immediately as did the AF episodes during sleep. Unfortunately the AF has moved on to occurring during waking hours, its been suggested probably as result of the condition having gone untreated for so long, this being being an opinion of a number of sleep experts. There appears to be a definitive link to sleep apnea and AF. I would finish by saying where the CPAP machine and mask may not be pretty the treatment certainly works and if you persevere with it you will ultimately find you benefit from a good night's sleep and wakening feeling so much better and hopefully the incidence of AF episodes will similarly reduce.

[Dave_F]

I had sleep apnoea long before AF, I also got rid of the sleep apnoea long before I noticed AF symptoms, nobody has suggested a connection to me.