living with af and sleep apnea....

[readbooks-123]

does treating the sleep apneas reduce or cure af?

[CDreamer]

SA treatment is supposed to ‘reduce the AF burden’. I have mild-moderate SA treated with CPAP for the last 4-5 years and I still get AF but I am not as symptomatic and I would say that is due to a number of factors, including CPAP treatment.

The one thing I can say is my sleep quality is SO improved that I feel so much better period. Win, win for me.

[Kaz747]

My EP was telling me about a research study where the pumped carbon dioxide into sheep and they all went into AF and when they pumped oxygen in the reverted to sinus rhythm. Of course they can’t do the same experiment in humans as no University ethics committee would ever approve that request. The lower oxygen and higher CO2 levels caused by sleep apnea can trigger AF episodes so treatment for sleep apnea, whilst not a cure, can often improve things.

[secondtry]

So far all I have learned is that using a nasal strip at night and Mindfulness before bed has helped significantly. My SA is only mild and something the NHS in the UK won't treat with CPAP etc. I would like to wear a nasal strip all day as it is noticeably easier to take oxygen in -does anybody know of any more discreet alternatives that can be recommended e.g. nostril inserts that maybe sports people use?

[Thumpr]

I was diagnosed with AF in 2003, and 2 cardioversions and an ablation did not resolve the problem. A sleep study two years ago showed that I have central sleep apnea and my pulmonologist prescribed a special type of PAP machine (ASV bilevel) to treat this condition. My AHI is now typically under 2 every night and it varied from 25 to 35 on a standard CPAP. My cardiologist said that, given enough time, this machine could reduce or eliminate my AF. On a recent visit with my pulmonologist, she said she may have heard an extra beat but my heart beat was well controlled when she check it with a stethoscope. Need to make an appointment with my cardiologist to get an ECG to see what's going on. Since I started using my PAP machine, I sleep more soundly, no longer have to make frequent trips to the toilet and usually wake up feeling well rested so there are huge benefits to treating SA aside from the AF situation.