Hi had my telephone consultation with af nurse today and she gave me results of sleep apnea test saying was showing moderate she couldn’t say what they were going to do as it’s on the system, guess that means on hold till hospitals are back to normal. My question is to anyone who has apnea did you have to use a cpap machine if your apnea is moderate? I’m also wondering did your af go away or get better after this diagnosis?
Plus side of call they are very happy with my stone and a half weight loss
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Janelr
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I was found to have mild sleep apnea, scoring an API of 9 I think, but my HR raised considerably and my O2 sats dropped to 80% so I was given a CPAP machine.
I had an ablation 3 years ago and with the cpap in nightly use I have not had an AF event in all that time.
I was borderline for getting a cpap as they would not normally treat someone with such a low score, but it is a known trigger for AF.
I would think that with moderate SA you would be getting a CPAP, and also being told to advise DVLA and your car insurer if you drive
Thankyou Mike I will be interested to know if it caused af. When I seen consultant she asked if I’d been tested for sleep apnea I have to be honest I wonder if I’d had for quite a while I’ve always snored terrible
This relationship between SA and AF is interesting. My older brother has both and recently had another Catheter ablation procedure done (10 years from the first one). I have never been diagnosed with SA. AF for me has not reared its head for the last 9 years.
I had a SA original score of 11 (mild-moderate) which means you stop breathing for several seconds or longer for at least once an hour - which mean your O2 sats drop, as Mike explained, which would trigger AF at night for me.
I’ve used a CPAP machine now for more than 5 years - absolutely brilliant results - not really had any night time AF now since using the machine and improved my QOL.
Takes a while to get used to and you need patience and commitment to continue until you do get used to is so for the 1st few weeks I could only tolerate an hour or so, working up to 4 hours within a few weeks and after 6 weeks I didn’t notice it.
It can take a while to find the right mask that works for you so you do need instruction - I had a 2 hours class with others and then 1:1 follow up when I first started.
If you go to ResMed site you will see what is involved and the various options for masks etc. resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apnea/
PS - My machine automatically sends a report to the Physiologist Dept who supervise my progress and the NHS use & distribute ResMed machines - well at least in my area.
I was tested and was told my SA was mild and did not qualify for CPAP. Unfortunately I got no other advice and it was actually Bob here that suggested (Breathright) nasal strips, which are definitely worth try as they have improved things. I would also recommend you google 'Patrick Mckeown breathing' this guy is a genius on breathing properly, having been through it himself. I have started doing his exercises and ordered his own designed mouth tape for night time (nb it doesn't go over the mouth but pushes the lips together) so you breathe through your nose; the importance of this can't be over stated. Good luck
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