Sleep Apnea Linked to Sudden Cardiac Death
Medical researchers from the Mayo Clinic suggests that sleep apnea increases patients risk of sudden death by heart attack. The research highlights the importance of regular CPAP therapy.
In a study of more than 10,000 patients with heart disease, sleep apnea was the second leading cause of sudden death. Being over the age of 60 was the first.
If left untreated, apnea causes nighttime oxygen levels in the blood to drop. As a result of the blood having less oxygen, the heart becomes over-stressed trying to get sufficient oxygen to the brain and body.
The Mayo research shows the link between sleep apnea and heart attacks: due to the decreased oxygen, the patient's blood vessels alter in a way that promotes heart disease. (Other cardiovascular diseases that apnea exacerbates include hypertension and stroke " along with Alzheimers.)
Simply stated, when the air passage doesnt let enough oxygen into the lungs, the body and brain begin to experience problem due to oxygen-depletion.
This is one of many reasons that the National Apnea Association (NAA) recommends that apnea patients utilize the most widely prescribed form of sleep apnea treatment: CPAP (continuous positive air pressure). Other reasons include increasing energy levels, decreasing depression and even assisting patients in losing weight.
To avoid apneas health risks, nightly use of CPAP equipment is required. Of course, wearing a sleep mask while sleeping is not easy for most people. In some ways it is not surprising that the national average for compliance with CPAP therapy is only 50%.
The NAA recommends three time-proven strategies to increase your chances of successful CPAP therapy:
1. Beware of low quality equipment often manufactured in China. Your sleep doctor or general practitioner should only recommend three manufacturers: ResMed, Fisher & Paykel, and Respironics. These three companies reportedly invest millions in research and development each year. Low quality equipment often does not meet the competitive standards of these three manufacturers and will not give you the same benefits or treat your apnea as effectively.
2. Only buy your CPAP equipment from an authorized dealer of one of the above leading manufacturers. According to the National Apnea Association, there are a lot of websites that sell questionable, grey-market CPAP equipment. Often they claim that they are selling new CPAP equipment, the reality is that they simply dont know because they bought it on the grey-market instead of directly from the manufacturer to make a bigger profit off your illness. Buying from anything other than an authorized dealer means you might get refurbished equipment that just looks like new. But it wont have full warranty coverage and it might not even be sanitary. (Many used machines on the grey market come from deceased patients in hospitals and nursing homes.) Your best bet is finding a CPAP vendor certified as a ResMed Preferred Internet Provider and recognized by the National Apnea Association as a Partner in Care.
3. Get the help and support that you deserve to make CPAP easier. The research shows that patients who get CPAP coaching basically double their chances of success: from under 50% to over 90%. An example of a CPAP supplier who provides free coaching is MySleepMask.com, the NAAs 2008 award winner of Online CPAP Supplier of the Year.