AHI on CPAP - Relation to ectopics/Afib

[Bennera513]

Sleep Apnea folks on CPAP,...Have you observed a relationship between your overnight AHI and your burden of Ectopics and/or Afib the next day? I have mild/borderline Sleep Apnea, apparently only while on my back. I am limited to a pressure of 6.5 due to severe Aerophagia (Swallowing air/gas). I've tried many gizmos to keep me on my side but I inevitably end up on my back at points in the night. I've noticed if I wake with an AHI of less than 1 then I do not suffer as many ectopics and I feel great. More than 2 and I feel lousy. They say less than 5 and you are golden, but do others find a connection at these low levels?

[CDreamer]

Can’t say I’ve ever noticed a correlation but then I no longer suffer ectopics. My AHI does vary because I use a variable pressure machine more akin to BIPP. My pressures can vary from 6-15 so I get an average - usually around 9-10. I was on constant pressure of 15 but found difficult in exhaling - which caused air swallowing. Not had that at all with this machine.

[Bennera513 in reply to CDreamer]

Glad you found the 'right' machine. My machine is an APAP which does variable pressures too. It seems levels in the 8 range cause painful bloating in early morning hours and 'gas' out the house through the early afternoon....:). Sleep doctor put me on an antihistamine at night but that made no difference. Could be something to do with the mask I'm trying to use. Before I go down those rabbit holes though I was wondering if fussing over a few AHI points really made any difference in people's heart rhythms the next day. Like understandably if someone is throwing 50 hypopnea's an hour then getting to 5 is going to make a glorious difference. Going from 3.7 to 0.3,....I'm not so sure.

[Karendeena]

Hi there Bennera I have just had the equipment for 24 hours to test me for sleep apnoea. I get a lot of ectopics and think my afib started as a result of sleep apnoea. I shall wait and see and maybe find some answers

[Bennera513 in reply to Karendeena]

Excellent. Well keep me updated. My first sleep study showed no apnea though I didn't think I was fully asleep. A second sleep study found I did have it but only when sleeping on my back. Hard to sleep naturally with all those wires hanging off you and people watching and listening from another room. I had some adjustment issues as all do I suppose. Takes a minute to dial in the CPAP and find the right mask, etc.....and finally, to begin getting the restful sleep hopefully. Good Luck.

[Karendeena in reply to Bennera513]

Thanks Bennera, I will let you know when I get my results. Funny you should say that about sleeping on your back my partner says he notices it when I'm on my back and often wakes me. Like you though I don't think I sleep fully, often wake with vivid dreams and never feel rested. Thanks for your support