Can CPAP Cause Heart Problems?

Some people may fear that the cure could be part of the problem, yet studies report no evidence this treatment causes or worsens cardiovascular conditions. 

Instead, treating sleep apnea could benefit the management of heart conditions as it improves the quality of your sleep and improves the supply of oxygen throughout the night.

While treating sleep apnea may not directly treat a heart condition, it can make treatments for the condition more effective. For example, Atrial Fibrillation, or Afib, is a form of arrhythmia, and improved sleep can bolster the medications used to treat Afib to help better manage the condition.

However, a slower heartbeat rhythm can be the more common experience for people with sleep apnea. Improving the supply of oxygen by treating obstructive sleep apnea can reduce the occurrence of arrhythmia for some people.

The severity of the condition can determine whether treating sleep apnea may play a role in reversing or stabilizing it. 

A study conducted in 2021 reported that patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea did not find the incidence of their arrhythmia improving using CPAP. It is worthwhile noting that their condition did not worsen either.

Are There any Negative Side Effects?

While studies so far report no adverse side effects on cardiovascular health from using CPAP, you should be aware that without proper cleaning and maintenance, a build-up of bacteria and mold in the equipment could cause infection and illness. 

However, the plus side is that regular cleaning is simple and takes just minutes to perform.

Similarly, you need to ensure that the water chamber used to humidify the air is regularly emptied and cleaned. Water left stagnant within the chamber for too long can collect bugs which could also cause you to become ill. 

A heated humidifier is usually standard with modern devices as it allows for the delivery of moist air. This prevents previous negative side effects from inhaling dry air such as a dry mouth and nose, as well as nasal congestion.

Further Sleep Apnea Treatments

Sleep deprivation caused by a disorder like sleep apnea can result in a faster heartbeat and high blood pressure, placing additional stress on this vital organ.

PAP therapy tends to be recommended for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. However, not everyone can tolerate this particular treatment. This is not because of fears the treatment itself could damage the heart, but through reasons such as claustrophobia at wearing a mask or difficulties inhaling and exhaling the pressurized air needed to maintain clear airways.

As obesity is one of the main contributing risk factors for sleep apnea, lifestyle changes aimed at weight loss could be recommended first. Other alternative treatments include:

• an automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) device that adjusts the pressure of the air according to the breathing needs of an individual rather than at a continuous pressure level.
• an oral appliance that keeps the airways open by adjusting the position of the jaw and tongue.
• surgery, when other treatments are not successful, that can treat sleep apnea by removing areas obstructing the airways.

Final Thoughts

Obstructive sleep apnea increases your risk of cardiovascular disease and early death. PAP therapy is a leading treatment for sleep apnea and existing studies show no evidence it can cause or worsen conditions like Afib. In fact, by improving sleep, treating sleep apnea can work alongside treatments in making them more effective.

Frequent nighttime awakenings, snoring, daytime fatigue and morning headaches are some of the symptoms of sleep apnea. 

It is important to consult a health provider if you recognize these symptoms. Diagnosis can help reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular problems and help better manage known conditions through improved sleep. As cardiovascular problems can be linked to sleep apnea it is important to treat both conditions rather than just one.

Sources:

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea-linked-heart-disease 

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/cpap/cpap-side-effects 

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-your-cpap-make-you-sick-2019100818005 

https://www.healthline.com/health/heart/can-cpap-make-afib-worse 

https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-apnea/arrhythmia-and-sleep-apnea