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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 over 10,000 patients, researchers found that sleep apnea was a serious risk factors for sudden death among patients with heart disease. (It was second only to being over 60 years of age.)
When not treated by CPAP therapy, sleep apnea causes nighttime oxygen levels in the blood to drop. Because the blood has less oxygen, the heart is over-stressed in its attempt to get sufficient oxygen to the brain and other vital body organs.
The research shows that these low oxygen levels results in the blood vessels altering in a way that promotes cardiovascular disease. (Other cardiovascular diseases that apnea is also associated with includes hypertension and stroke " along with the related disease of Alzheimers.)
Essentially, the patients brain and body shut down from suffocation. The lack of oxygen is due to the patients throat restricting airflow during an apnea episode.
To prevent this deadly result, apnea patients are prescribed CPAP (continuous positive air pressure) therapy. According to the National Apnea Association (NAA), CPAP therapy will save your life if you have sleep apnea and it will also address and improve fatigue, mood and even help in weight loss.
Despite the added health benefits and effectiveness of prescribed treatment with CPAP therapy the average compliance for the nation is only 50%. This is because patients on therapy have to establish regular, nightly use of the equipment, which includes a CPAP mask connected to a tiny air compressor.
The NAA recommends three time-proven strategies to increase your chances of successful CPAP therapy:
1. Only buy doctor-recommended CPAP equipment " namely these three manufacturers: ResMed, Fisher & Paykel, and Respironics. These three manufacturers invest millions in R&D each year. Unfortunately, many websites unknowingly offer 'questionable' CPAP equipment manufactured in China that neither your doctor nor the NAA would recommend.
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.
In a study of over 10,000 patients, researchers found that sleep apnea was a serious risk factors for sudden death among patients with heart disease. (It was second only to being over 60 years of age.)
When not treated by CPAP therapy, sleep apnea causes nighttime oxygen levels in the blood to drop. Because the blood has less oxygen, the heart is over-stressed in its attempt to get sufficient oxygen to the brain and other vital body organs.
The research shows that these low oxygen levels results in the blood vessels altering in a way that promotes cardiovascular disease. (Other cardiovascular diseases that apnea is also associated with includes hypertension and stroke " along with the related disease of Alzheimers.)
Essentially, the patients brain and body shut down from suffocation. The lack of oxygen is due to the patients throat restricting airflow during an apnea episode.
To prevent this deadly result, apnea patients are prescribed CPAP (continuous positive air pressure) therapy. According to the National Apnea Association (NAA), CPAP therapy will save your life if you have sleep apnea and it will also address and improve fatigue, mood and even help in weight loss.
Despite the added health benefits and effectiveness of prescribed treatment with CPAP therapy the average compliance for the nation is only 50%. This is because patients on therapy have to establish regular, nightly use of the equipment, which includes a CPAP mask connected to a tiny air compressor.
The NAA recommends three time-proven strategies to increase your chances of successful CPAP therapy:
1. Only buy doctor-recommended CPAP equipment " namely these three manufacturers: ResMed, Fisher & Paykel, and Respironics. These three manufacturers invest millions in R&D each year. Unfortunately, many websites unknowingly offer 'questionable' CPAP equipment manufactured in China that neither your doctor nor the NAA would recommend.
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.
About the Author:
Cara Miller is Director of Patient Education for the NAA, which recently awarded ResMed for best manufacturer and MySleepMask.com for best supplier of CPAP machines & supplies in 2008.
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