Most doctors recommend an updated sleep apnea test every 3-5 years.
Sleep apnea is a leading cause of daytime sleepiness, decreased quality of life, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
It can lead to severe health problems and should always be taken seriously.
Unfortunately, many people are not aware of the importance of having their condition reevaluated on a regular basis.
Below, we will discuss how often should sleep apnea be reevaluated to ensure optimal treatment and health outcomes.
How Often Should Sleep Apnea Be Reevaluated?
It is recommended that you should have a new test done every three to five years in normal, unchanged circumstances.
Though it is still important to keep up with regular testing, especially if any changes in your lifestyle or health occur.
For example, someone who has recently gained weight, bought a new cpap machine or been diagnosed with high blood pressure should consider getting tested more frequently than someone whose lifestyle has remained relatively unchanged.
Additionally, those with existing severe cases of sleep apnea should also be tested annually in order to monitor their progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
Circumstances That Require an Updated Sleep Apnea Test
As mentioned above, lifestyle changes or circumstances may require you to get an updated sleep apnea test sooner. These are:
Weight Change
Weight change can have a major effect on sleep apnea, and as such, there needs to be updated tests available.
A person’s weight can affect how much pressure is put on the airway while you sleep, meaning those with substantial weight loss or gain need an updated test to properly diagnose their condition.
Yes, surprisingly, even weight loss can affect your cpap treatment.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a dangerous and potentially deadly condition, and if left untreated, it can lead to serious health issues such as stroke or heart attack.
It’s essential that people that start having high blood pressure receive an updated sleep apnea test.
A recent study suggests that those with hypertension may require an updated sleep apnea test to properly diagnose and treat their condition.
The study was conducted by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) in order to determine how effective current testing methods are in diagnosing sleep apnea among those with high blood pressure.
The results of this study found that traditional sleep apnea tests may be missing certain cases of sleep apnea among patients with hypertension, which can cause further complications if not identified and treated correctly.
Smoking and/or Drinking Alcohol
Now, researchers have found that smoking and drinking alcohol may have implications for those with sleep apnea, leading many to believe that an updated test should be required.
This research revealed that smokers had more severe cases of sleep apnea than non-smokers and drinkers had higher oxygen levels during their sleep cycles than those who abstained from alcohol.
The results suggest that the conventional tests used to diagnose sleep apnea may not always be accurate in those who smoke or drink, meaning they could go undiagnosed or treated incorrectly.
To ensure everyone with sleep apnea gets the care they need, it’s important to consider these new findings and update existing tests accordingly.
Old or New CPAP Machines
Unfortunately, many older CPAP machines may not be providing adequate pressure for those with obstructive sleep apnea.
Recent studies have shown that the many older CPAP machines are set at lower pressures than what is currently recommended for those who suffer from moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea.
As a result, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has issued new guidelines urging those who use CPAP machines to have an updated sleep study to ensure they are receiving the correct amount of air pressure while they are sleeping.
Now patients will need to get an updated sleep apnea test before receiving a new CPAP machine.
This new requirement was recently announced by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
According to their recent statement, all patients should receive an updated sleep study test prior to being prescribed or re-prescribed a CPAP machine.
This is in order to ensure that the patient’s diagnosis is up-to-date and that they are given the best possible treatment plan for their specific needs.
Conclusion
Getting a reevaluation (sleep study) every 3-5 years is important for your well-being and sleep health.
Lifestyle changes or circumstances can affect your cpap therapy treatment.
The test not only helps diagnose new or different issues, but it also provides valuable feedback to help make any necessary changes to treatment.
Whether you are having any issues or not, if you can’t remember the last time you had a sleep study, then call your doctor to see if it is time.
You may even be surprised at how much the cost has come down on at-home sleep apnea tests since you last had one.
