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A member asked:
If not treated, can severe sleep apnea damage heart enough to cause significant drop in left ventricle ejection fracture? in 1 yr from over 50% to 12%
9 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
Possibly but...: Severe sleep apnea typically leads to raised pressure in the pulmonary artery which in turn causes increase in pressure in the right ventricle. When talking about ejection fraction, it is usually referred to the left ventricle that is responsible for blood distribution. Right heart failure may lead to left heart (ventricle) failure. Also, sa may contribute to hypertension that may cause ef decline.
Answered 12/20/2012
6.1k views
Yes: It is possible that sleep apnea can cause severe heart failure, initially, the heart failure affects the right heart, eventually that will affect the left heart as well and cause severe heart failure. The good news is, if one is compliant with cpap, it is possible for the heart failure to improve.
Answered 6/8/2013
6.1k views
Unlikely: You probably had a heart attack and you did not know it. You have to check that out.
Answered 12/20/2012
6.1k views
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