CINCINNATI, Jan. 16, 2006 (UPI) -- Researchers say a mild diuretic and respiratory stimulant cuts sleep apnea in heart failure patients.
A study by the University of Cincinnati found patients who took a single dose of acetazolamide before going to bed exhibited less sleep apnea, improved blood oxygen levels and fewer daytime symptoms of sleepiness.
Sleep apnea is associated with heart failure, the study said.
Shahrokh Javaheri M.D., of the Pulmonary Service in the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Department of Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Cincinnati, studied 12 male patients with stable heart failure who had more than 15 episodes per hour each night of sleep apnea.
The results of the study appear in the journal of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Copyright 2006 United Press International
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