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What Percentage Of Periodic Breathing On An Auto-cpap Should Be Of Concern?
Question: What percentage of periodic breathing on an auto-cpap should be of concern. I get 1 or 2% every once in a while but not often at all. I just got a 5.6% though and was wondering if that should be investigated further?
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Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.
Periodic breathing detected in an auto-cPAP should be a matter of concern only if the person has any co-existing cardiac problems. In patients with chronic sleep apnea and who are on cPAP, and with no cardiac disease, a percentage less than 5% is acceptable.
What is more important to monitor is the average AHI (Apnea Hypopnea Index). If this is less tha 5 per hour, then it means that your cPAP treatment is working well.
In your case, you mention that you get readings of 1 or 2% occasionally - which is quite acceptable. A one-off reading of above 5 may not indicate any significant problem. Often, improper positioning of the mask and air leaks can result in the occasional erroneous readings.
So, I would advise you not to worry about this. In case your periodic breathing is recurrently or persistently above 5%, then you need to get investigated further.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
Periodic breathing detected in an auto-cPAP should be a matter of concern only if the person has any co-existing cardiac problems. In patients with chronic sleep apnea and who are on cPAP, and with no cardiac disease, a percentage less than 5% is acceptable.
What is more important to monitor is the average AHI (Apnea Hypopnea Index). If this is less tha 5 per hour, then it means that your cPAP treatment is working well.
In your case, you mention that you get readings of 1 or 2% occasionally - which is quite acceptable. A one-off reading of above 5 may not indicate any significant problem. Often, improper positioning of the mask and air leaks can result in the occasional erroneous readings.
So, I would advise you not to worry about this. In case your periodic breathing is recurrently or persistently above 5%, then you need to get investigated further.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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