The research done on sleep apnea has shown that it is a condition that needs to be treated and taken seriously. It can lead to a myriad of other health issues if untreated. Bipap vs.Cpap should not be considered interchangeable. Bipap maintains two separate pressures in the delivery. One pressure affects your respiratory system when you inhale and the other maintains a certain pressure in your lungs when you exhale. Some conditions require this to preserve the condition of the alveoli and their ability to exchange gases, so if your prescribed Bipap, it is doing an additional job than Cpap.

I was told that my sleep apnea caused my pulmonary hypertension putting me in the WHO Type 3 pulmonary hypertension. I hope this helps. I hope you have a good weekend.

Hi Sue861. I've read that obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, can actually cause pulmonary hypertension in some people. Alot of us are prescribed CPAP or Bi-PAP machines for use at night to aid in our PH/PAH treatment, even if sleep apnea is mild. In my case, my oxygen saturation when I lie down decreases so much that it goes below 88% and with my CPAP machine it stays in the 90s most nights. O2 saturation below 88% could mean you need supplemental oxygen. I also feel more clear-headed in the morning now than I did before the CPAP.

I also have sleep apnea. I was not able to tolerate a Cpap machine, it only made my apnea worse. I have found that sleeping in a recliner with a small neck pillow helps me tremendously.
I guess because I am not lying flat so my chin doesn’t hit my chest which cuts off my breathing. The small pillow holds my head in place so I don’t obstruct my airway.