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Connection between sleep apnea and tachycardia

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Jeff_Flemings
Jeff_Flemings

Hello again everyone - I have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), as well as Paroxysmal AFib (apparently a type of Supraventricular Tachycardia [SVT]). I use a CPAP machine and my sleep Dr. says the CPAP machine data indicates the machine is successfully controlling my sleep apnea. I had an ablation in August but still have tachycardia incidents, but pretty much only in the evening, usually 1-2 hours after I go to bed (put the CPAP mask on). Probably not life threatening (and I've captured a number of incidents via Holter test which helps my Dr see what I'm experiencing) but still not fun as we all know. My cardiologist thinks the OSA/CPAP could be a culprit in my ongoing tachycardia incidents, so I am going to sleep doc on Monday. I read online that sleeping slightly elevated might help (raised up 30 degrees or so), and I will try that tonight. Any of you guys have any experience with OSA/CPAP and tachycardia? Is there anything that can be done with the CPAP or treatment for sleep disorder that helps reduce tachycardia? Many thanks to you all as always - JF

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • frank61666
    frank61666 Jeff_Flemings

    Posted

    Well, I hate to be barking up the same tree (an American saying, I think) but since it happens when you are lying down and after you have eaten dinner, I assume it has to do with triggers you ate several hours earlier. It is quite possible that you are eliciting a delayed type of intolerance to something you ate and this immune response could definitely cause those incidenies of tachycardia.

    I am big on histamine intolerances that appear to grew in numbers as we get older,  Physicians are not into this right now.

    Thoughts?

    Frank

    • Jeff_Flemings
      Jeff_Flemings frank61666

      Posted

      Thank you Frank. I have definitely been pursuing that strategy - been looking into histamine intolerance and gotten some supplements designed to help. I have also been avoiding foods which are high in/cause production of histamines. Last night I think I might have achieved a breakthrough - I read somewhere online that sleeping slightly elevated (around 30 degrees) on the back (for some people at least) might alter the physiology of blood flor or heart function, so I tried that, and I woke up refreshed without having had any tachycarida incidents. I had been a "side sleeper" (right side) for years, so this felt a litle unnatural, but I adapted and did not end up finding it uncomfortable. I turned to my side for a brief moment in the early morning and immediately felt a change to my heart function, so quickly turned back to my back and that feeling went away immediately. I am seeing my sleep Dr on Monday and cardio soon after and will ask for an explanation of how the change in sleeping position (to back, elevated) could decrease incidents. And I will stay on the path of histamines too.
  • simon56380
    simon56380 Jeff_Flemings

    Posted

    Hi Jeff, I had a tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy last Dec. Subsequent tests estimated my Ejection fraction at 25%.

    I tried to pinpoint the cause(s) upon my release from hospital.

    A sleep study showed that I had severe sleep apnea & I underwent a 6week trial to get the best CPAP set-up for me.

    I began CPAP therapy within 24 hrs of my first cardioversion, and woke up feeling amazing! I couldn't remember ever feeling so great and well rested!

    Unfortunately , I only stayed in rhythm for several days and was then put on a strong, and potentially very nasty antiarrythmia med called Amioderone, and 3 weeks later, was cardioverted a second time, once levels of Amioderone had built up in my system.

    over the ensuing month, I gradually began to feel better and better. After one month of being in rhythm, on CPAP, and on a healthy, low sodium diet, my EF had increased to 54%!! 

    Ive been in rhythm since March now, my EF was 58% backin June, so I was taken off Amioderone and am now on Sotolol, Perindoprol and Apixaban (in case I jump out of rthm and need to be cardioverted again).

    I'll never know for sure, but believe the cause of my cardiomyopathy was a huge night on the booze, combined with my severe sleep apnea (which would've been even worse than normal because of the copious amount of alcohol I'd consumed)

    I've slowly, but surely become less vigilant about my diet and lifestyle and don't worry so much about low sodium foods(since my EF is back up) .I now have a few beers several times a week, but did have a quite a few more than a few a couple of weeks ago at my niece's wedding, which of course was very silly, but I was lucky and stayed in rhythm.

    I have asked my cardiologist about foods and other possible triggers that I should perhaps avoid. He was dismissive and sceptical of of many of the 'triggers' that people talk about on this forum, so I haven't bothered trying to eliminate any of them from life and am doing just fine.

    Based on this anecdotal evidence, I'm convinced my issues were caused by drinking, smoking and severe sleep apnea.

    Hopefully I've got it right.

    AF seems to be different for everyone (with some common threads).

    I wish you all the best with your AF journey Jeff smile

    • Jeff_Flemings
      Jeff_Flemings simon56380

      Posted

      Thank you Simon and congrats on successfully wrestling your Afib to the ground. I am off booze completely (at least for now), primarily as a precaution. I'm not that overweight but I am losing weight and as I lose weight I think that will decrease the likelihood of tachycardia incidents too. Best wishes for continued good health!
  • simon56380
    simon56380 Jeff_Flemings

    Posted

    P.S. Jeff, if you can persist with CPAP nasal pillows, they are awesome!! Much better that the CPAP masks.

    I hated them at first, but my two brother-in-laws are using nasal pillows and they assured me it was worth persisting with them.

    They were so right!!

    I am a mouth breather, so didn't think I'd be able to do it, but my sleep Dr. Told me they can get 80% of mouth breathers to adjust to the nasal pillows.

    It took about 6 weeks, some sore inflamed nostrils from chaffing, but I eventually got used to it.

    I would go back to the mask for a day any when my nostrils were too sore to use the pillows, but it all settles down after a while.

    I only use the pillows now and am so glad I persisted.

    • Jeff_Flemings
      Jeff_Flemings simon56380

      Posted

      Thanks for the tip Simon. I have been doing great on CPAP but always open to new ideas. Will check out the nasal pillows!
    • Jeff_Flemings
      Jeff_Flemings

      Posted

      OK just realized nasal pillow is a type of CPAP mask, not a replacement for CPAP. Thanks for recommending!
  • simon56380
    simon56380 Jeff_Flemings

    Posted

    Probably should also mention that I am 49, 188 cm tall and 103 kg (about 10 kg overweight) but working on it!
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