Twobigwheels - CPAP Therapy Journey

[Deborah K.]

Some folks just have a naturally low heart rate (bradycardia).   I have it.  Mine is usually in the 50s or 60s but drops into the 40s some days.  I don't know what it is at night, but it's probably lower than daytime.  My doctor is aware of it so I don't worry about it at all.

[Deborah K.]

Yep.  Get the Flonase or generic equivalent.  I spray it right before bed and it works very well for me.

[ferrus]

I've had Sinus Brady for 4+ years that I know of. I had a colonoscopy last fall and they put me under for that with no concerns at all. Wellvu O2Ring reports average of 45-49 bps while sleeping. Many people have this and if it's not causing a problem leave well enough alone. Solutions seem to be heart surgery or medicines. Incidentally, I took the O2Ring to the hospital along with a WellvuBP Bluetooth device, both matched the equipment used there.

[Twobigwheels]

Thanks for your insights!

Received my Wellue O2Ring today and had it on for a 30m nap.
Pulse lowest at 36: Avg 49
I just had a physical last Thurs and my resting was in 40's.
It's always been noticeably low where Med Tech's think device isn't working right.
Any insight?

[Crimson Nape]

You made the same post 5 1/2 hours before this one, with multiple replies. Here is the link: http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...#pid472462

Please limit your request to one thread.

- Red

[Twobigwheels]

Recently went to Cardiologist for bradycardia. 
My AHI is typically 0.60 but some outliers as shown @ 1.40: Predominantly CA's & sometimes in clusters.
I have been told my HR was low in past physicals because I'm a cyclist. Using O2 ring, it shown my HR was going to low 30's @ night. 
Not sure if bradycardia & CA's are connected.
I went from APAP to CPAP in search of getting dialed in. I've dropped pressure in hopes of more OA's than CA's.
Present pressure @ 12 w/EPR Level3 cmH2O
Any insight?
Sleeping on side with neck brace. Neck brace helped get AHI down.

[Jay51]

I used to be a former endurance athlete.  My resting HR is in the 40's.  Although, the last time at Cardiologist's it was up to 50.  He was happy about that.  He was not too concerned that my HR dipped into the high 30's during sleep.  For someone who doesn't exercise a lot, this is concerning though.  

IMO, I would leave this up to your Cardiologist to decide where he or she wants your HR at during the night based on all of their testing, etc.  

I had twice as many CA's on my sleep study than OA's.  I am not sure what/if there is a link between CA's and Bradycardia.  Cardiologist should know best.  There are a few studies on the internet.  

Oh, one thing my Cardiologist said was to watch for any dizziness or lightheadedness with HR gets low.  If this ever becomes a concern, seek more treatment.

[OpalRose]

Your CA's are minimal, but I'm not knowledgeable to know if they affect bradycardia or vice versa.

If you want to try to lower CA's further, turn down the EPR setting from 3 to 2.  
You need to keep some EPR to help keep flow limitation and Hypopnea in check.

I don't see any Obstructives to worry about.

[Twobigwheels]

I used to be a former endurance athlete.  My resting HR is in the 40's.  Although, the last time at Cardiologist's it was up to 50.  He was happy about that.  He was not too concerned that my HR dipped into the high 30's during sleep.  For someone who doesn't exercise a lot, this is concerning though.  

IMO, I would leave this up to your Cardiologist to decide where he or she wants your HR at during the night based on all of their testing, etc.  

I had twice as many CA's on my sleep study than OA's.  I am not sure what/if there is a link between CA's and Bradycardia.  Cardiologist should know best.  There are a few studies on the internet.  

Oh, one thing my Cardiologist said was to watch for any dizziness or lightheadedness with HR gets low.  If this ever becomes a concern, seek more treatment.

Thanks Jay

How many hours a week were you training?

I did have some dizziness a month ago doing some core exercises on back that made me nauseous. Core work was not intense. I let Dr know

Your CA's are minimal, but I'm not knowledgeable to know if they affect bradycardia or vice versa.  

If you want to try to lower CA's further, turn down the EPR setting from 3 to 2.  
You need to keep some EPR to help keep flow limitation and Hypopnea in check.

I don't see any Obstructives to worry about.

Thanks Opal,

Lowering EPR will be my next change

[mesenteria]

There is some argument and wiggle room in the 'facts' or limits between normal heart rates and abnormal.  The medical community take 60 all the way up to 100 BPM as 'normal.'  Others, including some skilled cardiologists, insist that 100 is too high, and that 90 is probably a stretch if truth were told. Any heart rate lower than 50 is considered to be bradycardia.  If only it were that cut 'n dried.  It isn't.  As an endurance athlete many years ago, my resting HR was 34.  God knows what it was when I was in slumber...I almost hate to think about it. But most of us runners/cyclists/cross-country skiers/water polo players, will have hearts quite content to run at 40- BPM when watching TV or reading.

I sometimes wonder if we aren't a bit too hasty trying to corral our hearts into limits that are 'normal'. Highly trained endurance athletes have well-toned Vagus nerves that calm the heart when we're not competing or training.  The Vagus nerve is a main component of the parasympathetic nervous system: it slows the heart beat when it is healthy and in tune with the body, and the mind is sanguine and calm.  When disorders crop up, including sleep disorders, they can lead to anxiety-inducing conditions like the dreaded atrial fibrillation from which I have attempted to flee for five years.  Chronic anxiety and 'arousal' finds the Vagus nerve being suppressed, and the result is often a more rapid heartbeat, and the arrhythmias that sometimes follow.

Your CA is probably linked to your Vagus nerve's tone, but I am not prepared to say how.  I could also link your bradycardia, such as it seems it must be characterized, to your good Vagus tone, but cannot supply the reader with something passing for proof. But I cannot link the CAs to bradycardia. The CAs are a central nervous system glitch between the brain and the CO2 monitoring sensors.