Anyone Have Cardiovascular Issues?

[Augie]

Do you snore? Is sleep apnea a possibility? I'm on a CPAP machine now, as are many people I know. It's a very real thing. Stop breathing (frequently!), less oxygen, the heart works harder all night. Leads to issues and just might be a factor?

[Johnny Hammersticks]

Do you snore? Is sleep apnea a possibility? I'm on a CPAP machine now, as are many people I know. It's a very real thing. Stop breathing (frequently!), less oxygen, the heart works harder all night. Leads to issues and just might be a factor?

I guess I snore as much as the next guy. Doesn't everybody snore? Maybe a sleep study to rule out?

[Augie]

I guess I snore as much as the next guy. Doesn't everybody snore? Maybe a sleep study to rule out?

I knew I snored because my wife made it clear! Mine was pretty bad as once in a while I'd actually wake myself up! The sleep study made it clear how ridiculous it was. I can't remember the exact numbers, but if I slept on my side it was BAD, and when I went on my back (where snoring is usually worst), I would stop breathing several times a minute. The snort/gasping sound that woke me up was me gasping for oxygen. I'm guessing my blood oxygen level went from mid-high 90's to low 70's, so the heart works extra hard to feed the body oxygen.

 

If you go for a sleep study, I'd recommend a place that does just that. My dentist tried to make some extra money by giving me a take home thing (which was all my insurance would cover with the experts), but they were clueless and never even followed up. I would definitely look into specialists in your area. It may NOT be a factor, but if it is you want to get on it.The CPAP mask is a pain to get used to, but you'll also feel more refreshed after a good night of oxygen.

 

My wife travels a LOT and I cherry pick the good stuff (Denver and Vail last week! ). I am not allowed to go unless I take the CPAP and wear it all night. She has to get up and function, and the magic breathing machine allows that.

 

Check it out and good luck. It may not be the whole thing, but it may be one piece of the puzzle. (This makes me wonder how many people on the board have experience with this, a lot of people I know use it.)

 

Sorry if that was long, but it can be life changing.

Edited April 2, 2017 by Augie

[Johnny Hammersticks]

I knew I snored because my wife made it clear! Mine was pretty bad as once in a while I'd actually wake myself up! The sleep study made it clear how ridiculous it was. I can't remember the exact numbers, but if I slept on my side it was BAD, and when I went on my back (where snoring is usually worst), I would stop breathing several times a minute. The snort/gasping sound that woke me up was me gasping for oxygen. I'm guessing my blood oxygen level went from mid-high 90's to low 70's, so the heart works extra hard to feed the body oxygen.

If you go for a sleep study, I'd recommend a place that does just that. My dentist tried to make some extra money by giving me a take home thing (which was all my insurance would cover with the experts), but they were clueless and never even followed up. I would definitely look into specialists in your area. It may NOT be a factor, but if it is you want to get on it.The CPAP mask is a pain to get used to, but you'll also feel more refreshed after a good night of oxygen.

My wife travels a LOT and I cherry pick the good stuff (Denver and Vail last week! ). I am not allowed to go unless I take the CPAP and wear it all night. She has to get up and function, and the magic breathing machine allows that.

Check it out and good luck. It may not be the whole thing, but it may be one piece of the puzzle. (This makes me wonder how many people on the board have experience with this, a lot of people I know use it.)

Sorry if that was long, but it can be life changing.

Thank you. I'm not opposed to ruling everything out. I do snore loudly, but my bride sleeps like the dead. Doesn't bother her. I'll talk to my doctor about this.

[Augie]

Thank you. I'm not opposed to ruling everything out. I do snore loudly, but my bride sleeps like the dead. Doesn't bother her. I'll talk to my doctor about this.

My wife has borderline insomnia, making it difficult. I often get blamed, even if I'm not asleep yet, so your'e liucky there. It seems to get worse as you get older, and I think I've got a decade or two on you. If it is a factor, best to be aware now and act accordingly. Again, good luck!

Edited April 2, 2017 by Augie

[DC Tom]

Thank you. I'm not opposed to ruling everything out. I do snore loudly, but my bride sleeps like the dead. Doesn't bother her. I'll talk to my doctor about this.

 

Be warned: if you do a sleep study, you won't get any sleep.

 

Glad I did it, glad I got the CPAP...but damn, if sleep studies aren't a pain in the ass.

[ExiledInIllinois]

Thing is, I don't eat a lot of sugar. I don't really like cake, cookies, or candy...I'm more of a pickle and potato chip kind of guy. I don't even put sugar in my coffee.

Maybe get thyroid function check. Maybe missing something. A lot of people are iodine deficient.

 

What about alcohol. That is loaded with sugar. Especially hard liquor. Your body will store the calories from the food you eat and burn the alcohol first. Deadly combination for weight gain, alcohol and food.

 

Just drink the beer and we'd eventually wither away... :-)

 

Your weight is not too terribly high for your height, I know doctors want people looking like they came out of a concentration camp! My numbers all corrected themselves just by knocking that weight down... But I was too terribly heavy.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

 

Be warned: if you do a sleep study, you won't get any sleep.

 

Glad I did it, glad I got the CPAP...but damn, if sleep studies aren't a pain in the ass.

I'm envisioning an uncomfortable bed with thin pillows. Wires and little monitors taped all over my body. Three or four scientists at the foot of my bed taking notes on their "observations" of how many times I scratch my balls and break wind.

 

Yeah, I don't know if I could sleep.

[Greybeard]

I knew I snored because my wife made it clear! Mine was pretty bad as once in a while I'd actually wake myself up! The sleep study made it clear how ridiculous it was. I can't remember the exact numbers, but if I slept on my side it was BAD, and when I went on my back (where snoring is usually worst), I would stop breathing several times a minute. The snort/gasping sound that woke me up was me gasping for oxygen. I'm guessing my blood oxygen level went from mid-high 90's to low 70's, so the heart works extra hard to feed the body oxygen.

 

If you go for a sleep study, I'd recommend a place that does just that. My dentist tried to make some extra money by giving me a take home thing (which was all my insurance would cover with the experts), but they were clueless and never even followed up. I would definitely look into specialists in your area. It may NOT be a factor, but if it is you want to get on it.The CPAP mask is a pain to get used to, but you'll also feel more refreshed after a good night of oxygen.

 

My wife travels a LOT and I cherry pick the good stuff (Denver and Vail last week! ). I am not allowed to go unless I take the CPAP and wear it all night. She has to get up and function, and the magic breathing machine allows that.

 

Check it out and good luck. It may not be the whole thing, but it may be one piece of the puzzle. (This makes me wonder how many people on the board have experience with this, a lot of people I know use it.)

 

Sorry if that was long, but it can be life changing.

 

I wear a fitbit HR and enjoy seeing what my heart rate is doing with a variety of activities. Typically when I sleep by heart rate is somewhere between 50-60. There are times it is higher but those are unusual.

I recently spent two weeks at my sisters who lives in Colorado at 8000 feet. My heart rate while sleeping was typically between 70-80. A few time as low as 65 but not for long. I bring this up because you listed Denver and Vail. That thin air really makes a difference. Would be interesting to know if the CPAP helps that.

It would be nice if there was a cheap home device that monitored oxygen blood level all night which allowed you to review what was going on all night on a nightly basis.

[ExiledInIllinois]

I don't think it is your sleep that will lower your triglycerides... Though... I was reading that optimal temp to sleep @ is 66 degrees F and BELOW. Seems more "brown fat" is burned when sleeping in cooler temps. That's a Hail Mary! To... Keep doing the things you are doing.

 

Its the fat around the waist.

 

http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/tc/high-triglycerides-overview

 

"Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. Your body uses them for energy.

 

You need some triglycerides for good health. But high triglycerides might raise your risk of heart disease and may be a sign of metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is the combination of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, too much fat around the waist, low HDL ("good") cholesterol, and high triglycerides. Metabolic syndrome increases your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke."

 

Simply, too much fat in your blood and you are out of "balance." You are getting it from somewhere?

 

And you are approaching middle-age where things are happening... Testosterone is dropping ... Yes, even for us studs! Your metabolism is slowing down. You simply can't do the things you always did, and get by, as a younger man.

[ExiledInIllinois]

It is the one thing in the equation that many don't want to deal with:

 

Limit how much alcohol you drink. Alcohol is high in calories and sugar and has a particularly potent effect on triglycerides. Even small amounts of alcohol can raise triglyceride levels.

 

 

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/triglycerides/art-20048186?pg=2

 

Mix that in with genetics and who knows how that may affect certain people

[Augie]

I wear a fitbit HR and enjoy seeing what my heart rate is doing with a variety of activities. Typically when I sleep by heart rate is somewhere between 50-60. There are times it is higher but those are unusual.

I recently spent two weeks at my sisters who lives in Colorado at 8000 feet. My heart rate while sleeping was typically between 70-80. A few time as low as 65 but not for long. I bring this up because you listed Denver and Vail. That thin air really makes a difference. Would be interesting to know if the CPAP helps that.

It would be nice if there was a cheap home device that monitored oxygen blood level all night which allowed you to review what was going on all night on a nightly basis.

I suppose I avoided the double whammy of the altitude AND breaks in my breathing. I did manage to wear it all night every night, which is not always the case. That may have been partly because I knew my wife had to sleep in the same room. At home if I get bad she retreats to another room. We were staying at a Ritz Carlton in Atlanta once years ago (before the CPAP) and it got so bad she went down in the middle of the night for a second very expensive room for just a few hours sleep. Edited April 2, 2017 by Augie

[Johnny Hammersticks]

Starting tonight...no alcohol Sunday through Thursday. Limited on Friday and Saturday. This is a big switch for me, and I'm not sure how it's going to go. I usually have 2-3 beers or glasses of wine to help me wind down.

[ExiledInIllinois]

Starting tonight...no alcohol Sunday through Thursday. Limited on Friday and Saturday. This is a big switch for me, and I'm not sure how it's going to go. I usually have 2-3 beers or glasses of wine to help me wind down.

 

 

I had the soda thing. I would take a 2-Litre to work and have it downed. Slowly weaned off. With the beer and wine... Maybe cut back to 1-2 a night, then one, then your weekend plan...

 

Good luck!

 

With me... It was hitting the late night Maxwell Street Polish sausage stand! Man, those are good... I can feel the fat bubbling in my blood!

[ExiledInIllinois]

Hey Hammer... My son is back in the Chicago area for a Lax tourney this weekend up in Northbrook... He plays club lax for University of Iowa... He finally got on a "sorta" winning team... LoL... They were 4-0 on the season after coming back from a Tourney in Aberdeen, SD... Games are close. But this tourney, lost to Marquette (pretty good, but they stemmed the beat down, only 8-2) yesterday and DePaul today... and were up on Northwestern @ half 4-0 to collapse and lose 8-7! At least they go back to Iowa City still 4-3. I went to work today, so I am not the jinx... Must be my wife and daughter! UGH!

 

Again, games are close and their coach couldn't make it this weekend... I guess there is some positives! At least they are NOT getting beat down like in High School!

[Augie]

everyone should have less salt

 

While probably true in general, it's not universal. During the warm months of the year I play tennis as much as 5 times/week in the middle of the day with temps often in the 90's. I sweat like a mofo! Just climbed out of the pool wet. Go through multiple shirts in a futile battle. I even take extra socks for when my shoes squish. When I sit down the bill of my hat is like a spigot with sweat pouring off it. I like to make designs on the ground with the puddle that I make. You get the idea.... (and my wife won't hug me when I get home for some reason.)

 

Anyway, during those times I need salt. But in the winter months I'm sure I should cut back significantly. It's hard to have different behavior patterns like that. It all depends on the person and the situation, I think.

Edited April 2, 2017 by Augie

[Johnny Hammersticks]

Hey Hammer... My son is back in the Chicago area for a Lax tourney this weekend up in Northbrook... He plays club lax for University of Iowa... He finally got on a "sorta" winning team... LoL... They were 4-0 on the season after coming back from a Tourney in Aberdeen, SD... Games are close. But this tourney, lost to Marquette (pretty good, but they stemmed the beat down, only 8-2) yesterday and DePaul today... and were up on Northwestern @ half 4-0 to collapse and lose 8-7! At least they go back to Iowa City still 4-3. I went to work today, so I am not the jinx... Must be my wife and daughter! UGH!

 

Again, games are close and their coach couldn't make it this weekend... I guess there is some positives! At least they are NOT getting beat down like in High School!

That's cool. In college we played a lot of club teams from different universities, and they seemed to really have fun and enjoy playing the game. As opposed to playing for a coach who would get pissed and make us run sprints at 5am if we ONLY won by 9 goals against a lesser opponent. It feels good to win for a change. I bet he's loving it.

 

The HS team I coach has never been very good, but last year we tied the all time program record for wins (4!). Plus we beat 2 teams that the school has never beaten before. The improvements have spurned the AD to fund a 7th/8th grade team which will help me out tremendously. Now, we just need this damned snow to melt so we can get out of the gym and onto a lined field. First game April 10th.

While probably true in general, it's not universal. During the warm months of the year I play tennis as much as 5 times/week in the middle of the day with temps often in the 90's. I sweat like a mofo! Just climbed out of the pool wet. Go through multiple shirts in a futile battle. I even take extra socks for when my shoes squish. When I sit down the bill of my hat is like a spigot with sweat pouring off it. I like to make designs on the ground with the puddle that I make. You get the idea.... (and my wife won't hug me when I get home for some reason.)

Anyway, during those times I need salt. But in the winter months I'm sure I should cut back significantly. It's hard to have different behavior patterns like that. It all depends on the person and the situation, I think.

Woah, man! You sound like quite the "sweater!" lol

 

If I eat too much salty food my body swells up. It's especially noticeable in my fingers and in my face. I rarely season my food after cooking, but if I cook a nice steak, I load it up with kosher salt.

[Augie]

Woah, man! You sound like quite the "sweater!" lol

If I eat too much salty food my body swells up. It's especially noticeable in my fingers and in my face. I rarely season my food after cooking, but if I cook a nice steak, I load it up with kosher salt.

I'm telling you, heat and humidity both in the 90's, add exercise, and sweat buckets! My problem is when I'm NOT getting that and eat the same....my wedding ring may get tight instead of being a threat to fall off.