PAF and sleep apnea

[scienceguy02]

I have posted that I am going in for treatment of my AFib with flutter in July. One interesting discovery I’ve made is in being studied for apnea at the insistence of my primary care doctor. I have very mild apnea. The interesting part to me is that the study didn’t focus so much on the apnea but on what happens to my arrhythmia in the brief times (28 seconds) I stop breathing. Apparently my heart goes nuts!

I started a CPAP machine last week. I noticed today that for the last 3 days I have not had random palpitations, fluttering or that dreaded electric buzz feeling in my chest.

I know apnea increases AFib issues but wouldn’t it be nice if something as simple as CPAP therapy was an answer for some folks?

[RiderontheStorm]

I am in the same boat and using a dental device. Have mild Apnea. But according to the YorkCardiologist here there is a huge correlation tween the two. You can have AF without apnea, but rarely the other way around from his Youtube video on it.

[Hidden in reply to RiderontheStorm]

Hi ! Could I ask how you went about getting your mouth guard for apnea and costs etc ?

Thanks

Andy

[RiderontheStorm in reply to Hidden]

My dental device was custom made by a local dentist and paid for thru medical insurance coverage after I had a sleep study showing I needed it. Insurance cost was about $1600 USD. You can order off Amazon too if you need to go out of pockets.

[Aprilbday]

I love my sleep apnea machine. It affords me the ability to sleep through the night without waking up coughing. Helps with my anxiety too.

Sometimes the mask can wear down and the seal gets loose but a new mask usually helps that. Keep an extra mask on hand 😴

[sandy1952 in reply to Aprilbday]

I use my machine every night but I have very sore and red gums and sometime sore tongue. I feel like it’s the continuous air flow. Has this ever happened to you? Thank You

[Aprilbday in reply to sandy1952]

No, not at all. Make sure you have a good fit. Also, try using a humidifier with it. Sorry you are going through that!! 🌸

[secondtry]

Thanks, I just had a sleep study and need to ask the question did I have any AF during the night without realising it; I expect the machine can pick that up.

[scienceguy02 in reply to secondtry]

If your sleep study involved an ECG I’m sure any arrhythmia developing during apnea was recorded. It is a good bit of information to be aware of

-SG

[secondtry in reply to scienceguy02]

Mmmm..well I wasn't wired up for an ECG, I was hoping the pulse monitor would pick something up as I can by feeling my pulse.

[Hidden]

Hi! Can I ask if you are in the UK ? I have mild sleep apnea which I am convinced has caused my ab fib ! Getting any help from the NHS is a nightmare as I am a normal weight so they ignore me ! Any advice appreciated !

Andy

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

Andy - the sleep clinic at my local NHS hospital were fantastic!

Ask your GP to give you the sleep questionnaire - if you score over a certain amount - think it is 17 - they then have to refer you! Alternatively get your EP to write to your GP asking for a referral. I am slightly overweight but thin people have sleep apnea as well although being overweight just increases the likelihood.

I can’t praise the NHS SA service enough! They post out replacements to me as and when required and as each machine is at least £700+ maintenance I am well impressed. Where are you based?

[Hidden in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks for this appreciate it been fobbed off several times by GP I was a couple of stone heavier a couple of years ago and it was pretty bad improved alot when I got within my BMI under 25 (just) but still get issues with it ! I am in greater Manchester ! Andy

[CDreamer]

Hope it does help -certainly did me.

[RichMert]

Hello scienceguy, may I ask, what other symptoms do you get with the sleep apnea.

[scienceguy02 in reply to RichMert]

I experienced restless leg syndrome (RLS) which kept me tossing and waking up throughout the night. I’m certain the disturbed sleep aggravated my AFib. Granted I’ve only been on the CPAP machine a week but my wife claims I am almost motionless during the night now.

[RichMert in reply to scienceguy02]

I asked my doctor whether I could be suffering from sleep apnea and based on the fact that I am not over weight and not suffering from tiredness or falling asleep during the day then, no. I have had 2 ablations for PAF but I have always slept badly and spend most of the night trying to get back to sleep.

[scienceguy02 in reply to RichMert]

I don’t consider myself “overweight” as I have always exercised - aerobics and weights- and my muscle mass is high. I never just fall asleep during the day but will enjoy a nap on the weekend.

My doctor explained that as I’ve grown older the muscles of the mouth and throat have weakened and when I lay on my back my jaw and tongue sag blocking my airway inducing apnea. Only testing- both pulse oximeter and formal overnight sleep study- confirmed my apnea.

I would often wake 3-4 times a night and would take 20-60 minutes to fall back asleep.

This first week on the CPAP machine and I have only awakened one time each night for a bathroom break and fall asleep quickly.

I would press for a formal sleep study.

Good luck!👍🏼

[RichMert in reply to scienceguy02]

I wake up every hour or 2 throughout the night but drop off again shortly afterwards.