The reason I have sleep apnea was not obesity or atrial fibrillation, but as a results of a stroke. Essentially as I understand their explanation, the brain “forgets” to send a signal to breathe while sleeping, up to (in my case) 100 times an hour, so one wakes up frequently, gasping for breath. With the BPAP machine, I am down to about 10, which allows sleep.
I had 90 O2 drops in a two hour period. I was told that 3 is OK and 30 is the indication of severe obstructive sleep apnea. In my case, it crept up on me due to weight gain and a-fib came on at the same time. Before this crisis I was a long distance runner and soccer player (and high school coach). I tested with CPAP and BPAP and failed both tests — the hospital authorized a ventilator and the AVAP approach and now I sleep with perhaps one wake up per night. I use a checkme device at night and it records to my phone. I usually stay at about 93 % with drops to 89 %. But as I said, usually only about 3 drops per hour and I do not wake up out of breath. My system just wakes up and then I open my airways which try to relax in a closed position. So my symptom was that I could not fall asleep when actually I was falling asleep 45 times an hour and waking up immediately.
Yes, brain injury can send the wrong signals to our hearts and lungs. You might look at the AVAP devices if they can be provided on your insurance. They are very forgiving as far as falling asleep with a gentle pressure increase and they try for a regular tidal lung setting as an average. Thanks for your info. KC