Your posts have inspired me to share my story.
I was very stubborn, as with other Men I was in denial for 12 years. At that time I had a sleep study which showed I had pretty severe sleep apnea, 60 events a hour. At the time I was younger and thought I didn't need good sleep - duh.
About 4 years ago I began cycling and in this training process over two years lost about 40 lbs. Seemingly my apnea got somewhat better and I felt better. Probably mostly other physiological problems improved by my weight loss. I don't think my apnea got much better. At the end of last year my sleep became very poor. I just simply blew it off as additional job/family stress, etc. It wasn't, in April I developed Atrial Fibrillation (persistent). At first I also ignored the Afib as stress related but finally could not. I April I did a Century bike ride and noted that my heart rate was spiking up to 220 BPM (always wear HR monitor) had to quit at 40 miles, as was extremely tired. Normally my HR hovers about 140-160 when riding. Never go above 180HR. I knew something was seriously wrong, also had irregular HR, another duh.
Long story short - as I am rambling. Had a Cardiac Ablation of the pulmonary veins to stop my Afib at the end of July. This procedure has worked so far. My Cardio explained that the Afib was probably caused by the stress but more likely the Sleep Apnea. As the Apnea is very hard on the heart, by constantly hitting the heart with adrenaline all night long.
After a sleep study, before the Cardiac Ablation, which showed severe Apnea both OSA and central. My cardio didn't wasn't to proceed to fix heart until took care of Apnea. I began using my CPAP. What is amazing is the improvement in my sleep. From the first time I used the CPAP I have felt so much better. My advice is if you even suspect you have sleep apnea do not delay and get the sleep study done. If you need a CPAP please use it.
Don't do what I did, it would have saved me $83,000+ for the Ablation and all the preliminary tests.
K what you did!!
