Sleep apnea increases a patients risk of death by heart attack according to medical research from the Mayo Clinic. CPAP therapy is the prescribed treatment to avoid the risks associated with sleep apnea.
Over 10,000 patients were examined. The researchers found that sleep apnea increased the likelihood of sudden death among patients with heart disease. (As a risk factor, apnea 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.)
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 treat apnea requires regular, nightly use of CPAP equipment. However, wearing a CPAP mask and sleeping next to a CPAP machine is not easy for most people. This is the reason why 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. Avoid the many questionable websites that sell grey-market CPAP equipment. By buying from a ResMed Preferred Internet Provider, you can be sure that your equipment is brand new (not used equipment that is refurbished to look like new). Avoiding used equipment is important given that some used equipment has not even been fully sterilized, putting you at risk of respiratory infections.
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.
Over 10,000 patients were examined. The researchers found that sleep apnea increased the likelihood of sudden death among patients with heart disease. (As a risk factor, apnea 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.)
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 treat apnea requires regular, nightly use of CPAP equipment. However, wearing a CPAP mask and sleeping next to a CPAP machine is not easy for most people. This is the reason why 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. Avoid the many questionable websites that sell grey-market CPAP equipment. By buying from a ResMed Preferred Internet Provider, you can be sure that your equipment is brand new (not used equipment that is refurbished to look like new). Avoiding used equipment is important given that some used equipment has not even been fully sterilized, putting you at risk of respiratory infections.
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, a health education writer, is Director of Patient Education for the National Association of Apnea, which recently awarded ResMed for best manufacturer and MySleepMask.com for best supplier of CPAP machines in 2008.
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