PajMon Information Blog

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.)

Sleep apnea, a relatively common condition, causes the oxygen levels in the blood to decrease. This, in turn, puts a strain on the heart while it tries to pump adequate amounts of oxygen to the brain and body.

There is evidence that low oxygen, caused by sleep apnea, alters the blood vessels in a way that promotes heart disease. Apnea is also associated with hypertension, stroke and Alzheimers.

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.

So, what is the most effective form of sleep apnea treatment? Doctors almost always prescribe CPAP (continuous positive air pressure) therapy. CPAP therapy is proven to maintain sufficient oxygen levels in the brain and body and is associated with other benefits, including improved sleep, reduced daytime drowsiness, improved mood, and weight loss.

Medical research points to how important it is to regularly use CPAP therapy. However, for many patients the nightly use of a CPAP mask connected to a CPAP machine is not an easy habit to make. That is why the national compliance average is only 50%.

Here are three strategies outlined by the National Apnea Association (NAA) to increase 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. Choose wisely when selecting a CPAP supplier. There are a lot of questionable websites that don’t buy their equipment directly from the manufacturer. They resort to getting inventory from middlemen who often are unethical and sell used equipment. If you buy from anything other than an authorized dealer, then you might get refurbished equipment that just “looks” like new. So it won’t have full warranty coverage and it might not even be sanitary. (Many used machines sold by middlemen are 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.

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.

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