sleep Apnea

[FenderStrat63]

Hi all, I had a heart attack on 7th of July had three stent fitted with a fourth due on 6th October. My question is I think I have developing sleep apnea,it’s woken me up a couple of times recently, is this dangerous ?

[Tos92]

I’m very sorry to hear about your heart attack.

My mum has a severe case of obstructive sleep apnea which was detected when she had a sleep study conducted. She now uses a CPAP machine at night and during the day if she chooses to have the odd nap here or there in order to keep her airways open whilst she sleeps.

It can be dangerous depending on the extent to which you are affected. I would touch base with your GP and request a sleep study. This will help determine how many times a night your breathing is affected due to the narrowing of your airways and a treatment plan can be put in place. I definitely wouldn’t overlook this.

All the best.

Tos

[FenderStrat63 in reply to Tos92]

Many thanks Tos.

[Ethel14]

I use a CPAP machine every night after a sleep study conducted many years ago

[Frogman53]

I've been using a CPAP machine for ten years, when I was attending the cardiology dept my wife happened to mention to the doctor that my snoring was terrible...oh he said we'll have a sleep study done. The outcome was severe sleep apnea..it was a struggle getting used to it at first but now....I can't do without it and I feel much better in the mornings than I used to.

[july2020]

Hi

I am sorry to hear about your situation and your suspicions about sleep apnoea.

Being blunt the short answer to your question about is it dangerous, is yes, you should definitely talk to your GP.

I have lived with it for over 10 years, but once identified it has been controlled by using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. I definitely feel better for it being controlled.

The doctor will probably ask you a number of questions to judge how sleepy you feel.

sleep-apnoea-trust.org/wp-c...

I looked at your profile and it doesn’t say what medicines you are taking. I suggest if you are taking Tricagrelor you may want to talk your doctor/cardiologist about swapping that for clopidogrel as there is some evidence that this may worsen central Sleep Apnea, I know it made mine a lot worse.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/335...

Many of us live with sleep apnoea and using CPAP is aggravating but it really is something you need to get checked .

All the best

Mark

[Harefieldfan]

Hi. I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea a few years ago. I was told to use a mouthguard that pushes the jaw forwards. And a leaflet from the hospital sent me to a company that makes them so that I didn’t have to pay £££ to a dentist. I think it stops the snoring to some extent — much worse when I don’t use it. Good luck.!