meaning of AHI for a lay person

[Cosette]

Does the AHI indicate the number of times I have stopped breathing even with the CPAP machine? If I weren't using the machine would that number be much higher? With a properly set machine could the index ever be 0?

[MauraAnderson]

AHI is the number of apneas and hypopneas detected by the machine (or by the sleep analysis if you were in a study and not on a machine) divided by the number of hours of sleep.

If you are on cpap, these are despite the pressure of the cpap. So your AHI would probably be higher if not on CPAP unless you have pressure-induced centrals.

Yes, some people get to 0. I'm still trying to get there.

[BleepingBeauty]

Does the AHI indicate the number of times I have stopped breathing even with the CPAP machine? If I weren't using the machine would that number be much higher? With a properly set machine could the index ever be 0?

Yes, most likely yes, and possibly. AHI is your average (per hour) apnea-hypopnea index. An AHI under 5.0 indicates effectively treated OSA.

Hope that helps.

[billbolton]

Does the AHI indicate......

There is a LOT of good information in the CPAPtalk wiki, and it should be the first place you check for information.

See here.... wiki/index.php/Apnea_Hypopnea_Index

Cheers,

Bill

[GumbyCT]

Does the AHI indicate the number of times I have stopped breathing even with the CPAP machine?

Yes it is a combination of apneas and hypopneas per hour. Usually associated with a reduced blood oxygen level - which is what does the damage beginning with impacting out thinking process.
For Acronyms & Definitions
http://www.sleepnet.com/definition.html

If I weren't using the machine would that number be much higher?

Very likely YES.

With a properly set machine could the index ever be 0?

It could, Yes. Doesn't mean it will. Elimininating your leaks is key to reducing your sleep events. You need to start reading and educating yourself.

Watching this will help -
Understanding Sleep Disordered Breathing
http://www.resmed.com/us/multimedia/und ... 40x380.swf
http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/ ... -2/742141/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T75s2RBQhSM&NR=1

Reading this will help -
viewtopic/t34872/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32 ... ie#p278441

This is the Yellow Lite bulb you'll hear people mention aka "Our Collective Wisdom" - our-collective-cpap-wisdom.php Now a Wiki section.

Read some more.
Good Luck

[Cosette]

My leak number is consistantly 0.

[GumbyCT]

My leak number is consistantly 0.

Why of course - You have the software to check your data?

[Cosette]

I do read a lot, Gumby, but sometimes I get so tired I just like a few words of plain English to confirm what I'm thinking. Thanks for all the links.

[Cosette]

I have no software, I just read my machine daily. I have no way of getting my Smart Card read.

[GumbyCT]

I do read a lot, Gumby, but sometimes I get so tired I just like a few words of plain English to confirm what I'm thinking. Thanks for all the links.

Sorry if "I" gave you info overload.

It is the only effective way I know to help yourself. I would say your therapy is NOT effective at this point

[Cosette]

Why would you say my therapy is "not effective at this point"? Just because I don't understand what all the information means?

[scrapper]

I've never heard of any other person just starting cpap, having totally effective treatment without some adjustments and tweaking. If it's you, congratulations--you better go buy a lottery ticket!

Having zero leaks is excellent, but it's only a little part of the story......you really need to investigate your ai/ahi.........in ResMed, the machine reports mean, the software median or vice versa........again, while the lcd screen is a start, you only have a tiny bit of information on your treatment.

Your dme can download your information--by going in or sending the smart card in, or you can obtain the software and card reader and do it yourself..........

While the lcd screen tells you a bit, how you feel each day is also important.

[Muse-Inc]

Does the AHI indicate the number of times I have stopped breathing even with the CPAP machine?

Yup. Some of these might be perfectly normal! For example, it's normal to have a central apnea when falling asleep. Some hold their breath when they turn over and that is registered by our xPAPs as an apnea.

If I weren't using the machine would that number be much higher?

Yup

With a properly set machine could the index ever be 0?

I sometimes get an AHI=0, not often (see previous answer) but now and then

[sleepycarol]

Why would you say my therapy is "not effective at this point"? Just because I don't understand what all the information means?

D

Since your profile isn't filled out -- what machine are you using that you can tell that you have 0 leak?

I know when using my M series apap I consistently have >1 AHI but since switching to a Resmed Vantage apap my AHI has been running between 2 and 3.

[Cosette]

After using my new machine for 12 days, the screen says I have 2% leak for 7 days and 1% leak for 12 days.

The AHI gives only the total readings, not broken down by A and H. I read around 3.

I appreciate the useful information I have received. Saying my "Therapy is NOT working" without giving any reasons and sending some ridiculous links to read and view are not helpful for a new user who is trying to get answers.