anyone have sleep apnea and related heart enlargement?

Posted by blackersheep @blackersheep, Sep 5, 2025

Have had sleep apnea for years and have used CPAP for 15+ years. Was recently diagnosed with severely enlarged right atrium and ventricle, as well as left atrium. Left ventricle only mildly enlarged. My cardiologist says it's from my sleep apnea. Had a "nuclear" stress test and did ok. My cardiologist is not very communicative or helpful. He told me there is nothing that can be done except heart transplant, and that I ain't going to get one. I'm 65 with several other health issues, so fair enough. And yes, a new cardiologist is on my Christmas wish list.

I understand cardiac arrest due to stretched heart muscle and resulting rhythm problems can happen. I suppose CHF is likely at some point also. Does anyone have similar problems and would you please share your insight. After all, Santa won't likely bring me a new heart doc.........I've been too naughty.

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I know nobody wants to think in terms other than they're unique (well....you ARE!). But these problems are rampant globally, and we in the west enjoy the very best science, engineering, and technology going, including valve repair in the heart. I feel optimistic about you and your eventual success, and I hope I can shed some optimism on you. It will be good. Not good waiting to get there, but once it's done, you'll feel better. I have read that, once a defect in rhythm and valve disorder are ameliorated, the enlargement naturally reverses....some. Maybe a little, maybe a lot. Each patient is different. So, you'll also fix your enlarged chamber, even if just modestly. But that valve MUST BE fixed first.

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Thank you for the encouraging words.

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