Patient/caregiver were instructed regarding complications of poorly managed central sleep apnea as follows:
Compromised cardiac function:
- In individuals with poorly controlled sleep apnea, sudden drop in blood oxygen levels due to interrupted breathing pattern can lead to drop in oxygen supply to vital organs, such as, heart and brain, thus affecting their function.
- In order to prevent this outcome, as a protective response, the heart tends to overwork by increasing the heart rate and tries to maintain the blood & oxygen supply to the vital organs.
- This can result in increased blood pressure numbers and multiple episodes of interrupted breathing pattern during the night over a period of time could result in persistently elevated blood pressure numbers, leading to hypertension.
- Elevated blood pressure numbers add more load on the cardiac function, as the heart now has to pump blood against these elevated BP numbers.
- This overworking response of the heart can add more strain to the heart function, which is already suffering due to poor oxygen supply.
- This deterioration in heart function can result in dangerous cardiac arrhythmias, chest pain, and episodes of myocardial infarction (heart attack). Individuals with history of poorly functioning heart can be at increased risk for further worsening of cardiac function and presentation with these complications.
Excessive fatigue:
- Poorly rested state with multiple awakenings through the night can leave the individual with sleep apnea extremely fatigued and drained, with poor daytime activity.
Daytime drowsiness:
- Lack of sleep during the night can lead to drowsiness and sleepy state during the day, as a compensatory measure.
- This poorly active during the daytime can compromise the individual’s job and academic performance.
