Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a major risk factor for sudden cardiac death (SCD) according to new medical research from the Mayo Clinic. The research points to the importance of prescribed therapy to avoid the risks associated with sleep apnea.
By studying nearly 11,000 adults, researchers discovered that sleep apnea was one of the two biggest risk factors for sudden death among patients with heart disease. (The second trait was an age of 60 years or older.)
Untreated sleep apnea causes nighttime low oxygen saturation in the blood. When the blood has less oxygen, the heart has to work harder to get oxygen to the brain and body.
Research points to the fact that low oxygen (caused by apnea), can alter your blood vessels in a way that promotes heart disease. Similarly, apnea is also associated with high blood pressure, stroke and even Alzheimers.
There is a common thread. If you dont get oxygen to the blood, the whole body and brain start to shut down. But with apnea, your throat closes down, suffocating yourself and starving your body of oxygen.
All the more reason to get the most widely prescribed form of sleep apnea treatment: CPAP (continuous positive air pressure). CPAP therapy not only can save your life " it can eliminate daytime drowsiness, alleviate depression, even help you lose weight.
All the research points to how important it is to use your CPAP therapy every night. Of course, wearing a CPAP mask connected to a CPAP machine is not easy or fun. That is why an average of only 50% of patients regularly comply with their CPAP therapy.
Here are three strategies to increasing your chance of CPAP success:
1. Select quality CPAP equipment, not cheap junk. Doctors only recommend three manufacturers, who invest millions in R&D every year: ResMed, Fisher & Paykel, and Respironics. Picking a CPAP machine and mask among these three brands is fairly easy, with some help. Unfortunately, there are many questionable websites that offer a bunch of junk brands that your doctor would never recommend. Junk brands will only waste your money. We are not talking about getting a good bargain on a DVD or flat screen TV. Your health and even your life are at stake.
2. Beware when selecting a CPAP supplier. Avoid the online offers that sell grey-market CPAP equipment. You might end-up with a refurbished CPAP machine that just looks like it is new, but does not have warranty coverage or isnt even sterilized. (Many used machines on the grey market are from patients in nursing homes who have passed away, possibly from pneumonia or other respiratory diseases.) Be safe and smart: use a CPAP supplier who is certified by the National Apnea Association and/or is a ResMed Preferred Internet Provider.
3. Get a CPAP coach to help you use your CPAP equipment properly. An expert can help you with using, cleaning, and maintaining your CPAP, especially when you run into problems. Many studies have shown that CPAP chronic care or coaching is very effective: increasing patients probability of success from the national average of only 50% to over 90%. Best of all, some CPAP websites offer coaching for free to their customers.
By studying nearly 11,000 adults, researchers discovered that sleep apnea was one of the two biggest risk factors for sudden death among patients with heart disease. (The second trait was an age of 60 years or older.)
Untreated sleep apnea causes nighttime low oxygen saturation in the blood. When the blood has less oxygen, the heart has to work harder to get oxygen to the brain and body.
Research points to the fact that low oxygen (caused by apnea), can alter your blood vessels in a way that promotes heart disease. Similarly, apnea is also associated with high blood pressure, stroke and even Alzheimers.
There is a common thread. If you dont get oxygen to the blood, the whole body and brain start to shut down. But with apnea, your throat closes down, suffocating yourself and starving your body of oxygen.
All the more reason to get the most widely prescribed form of sleep apnea treatment: CPAP (continuous positive air pressure). CPAP therapy not only can save your life " it can eliminate daytime drowsiness, alleviate depression, even help you lose weight.
All the research points to how important it is to use your CPAP therapy every night. Of course, wearing a CPAP mask connected to a CPAP machine is not easy or fun. That is why an average of only 50% of patients regularly comply with their CPAP therapy.
Here are three strategies to increasing your chance of CPAP success:
1. Select quality CPAP equipment, not cheap junk. Doctors only recommend three manufacturers, who invest millions in R&D every year: ResMed, Fisher & Paykel, and Respironics. Picking a CPAP machine and mask among these three brands is fairly easy, with some help. Unfortunately, there are many questionable websites that offer a bunch of junk brands that your doctor would never recommend. Junk brands will only waste your money. We are not talking about getting a good bargain on a DVD or flat screen TV. Your health and even your life are at stake.
2. Beware when selecting a CPAP supplier. Avoid the online offers that sell grey-market CPAP equipment. You might end-up with a refurbished CPAP machine that just looks like it is new, but does not have warranty coverage or isnt even sterilized. (Many used machines on the grey market are from patients in nursing homes who have passed away, possibly from pneumonia or other respiratory diseases.) Be safe and smart: use a CPAP supplier who is certified by the National Apnea Association and/or is a ResMed Preferred Internet Provider.
3. Get a CPAP coach to help you use your CPAP equipment properly. An expert can help you with using, cleaning, and maintaining your CPAP, especially when you run into problems. Many studies have shown that CPAP chronic care or coaching is very effective: increasing patients probability of success from the national average of only 50% to over 90%. Best of all, some CPAP websites offer coaching for free to their customers.
About the Author:
Pam McKee is Head of Clinical Support at MySleepMask.com, a ResMed Preferred Internet Provider of CPAP machines, masks and other supplies. She has produced a sleep apnea guidebook for CPAP patients, downloadable free at MySleepMask.com.
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