💡 Key Takeaways
- Understanding AHI is Crucial: Your Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) score is vital for diagnosing sleep apnea severity and evaluating the effectiveness of your CPAP therapy.
- Severity Levels: AHI scores range from normal (0-4.9 events) to severe sleep apnea (30+ events per hour). The higher the score, the more severe the condition.
- CPAP AHI Score: This score indicates how well you’re responding to CPAP therapy. A good AHI score on CPAP is usually fewer than five events per hour.
- Improving Your AHI: Factors like mask fit, lifestyle changes, and medication can affect your AHI score. Proper adjustments can lead to improvement.
- Monitor and Adjust: Regularly check your AHI score and consult your healthcare provider for any necessary adjustments to your CPAP therapy.
Understanding your AHI score is one of the most important aspects of any sleep apnea treatment, especially CPAP therapy. Also known as the Apnea-Hypopnea Index, this number determines the severity of your condition but also the effectiveness of your treatment plan.
So, what is AHI, and how does it relate to CPAP? Let’s talk about it!
Today, we’re explaining your AHI score and how it impacts sleep apnea. We’ll examine how it relates to events per hour on CPAP and how CPAP AHI score is measured. We’ll also cover important questions, including what is a good AHI score on CPAP and what it means if your CPAP AHI is reported as a decimal. Lastly, we’ll provide suggestions for improving your AHI score so you can get the most out of your CPAP therapy!
What Is AHI?
AHI stands for the Apnea-Hypopnea Index. It is the main system of measurement used to diagnose sleep apnea and refers to the average number of sleep apnea episodes you experience during each hour you are asleep. A higher AHI score indicates more severe sleep apnea.
What Does the Apnea-Hypopnea Index Mean?
The Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) refers to the two possible types of sleep apnea respiratory events— apneas and hypopneas. The effect on your breathing can last a few seconds to more than a minute and occur multiple times throughout the night, leading to disrupted sleep and oxygen deprivation.
It is important to remember that AHI is primarily used for diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea. For this reason, some people refer to these sleep apnea episodes as Obstructive AHI. If you have Central Sleep Apnea, you will still experience similar periods of apnea and hypopnea. However, most healthcare specialists will refer to such events as a Central AHI.
What Is an Apnea?
An apnea event is a near or total breathing pause that lasts longer than 10 seconds. During these episodes, the air you breathe in is reduced by at least 90%. Apneas usually occur when your airway becomes totally blocked by your tongue, soft palate, tonsils, or other surrounding structures.
What Is a Hypopnea?
A hypopnea episode is abnormally slow or shallow breathing that cuts your air supply by 30% or more. Each hypopnea episode must last at least 10 seconds. This event must result in a 3% drop in blood oxygen levels or a sleep disturbance (often called a sleep apnea arousal). Hypopnea arises when the mouth or throat muscles become so relaxed that they cause the airway to become partially blocked.
How Does AHI Affect Sleep Apnea Severity?
AHI typically varies depending on your sleep apnea severity. The higher your AHI score is, the worse your sleep apnea symptoms will likely be and the more likely you are to require higher continuous positive airway pressure settings. Below are the numbers that most experts reference when diagnosing sleep apnea.
| Severity | AHI Score |
| Normal | 0 to 4.9 Events |
| Mild Sleep Apnea | 5 to 14.9 Events |
| Moderate Sleep Apnea | 15 to 29.9 Events |
| Severe Sleep Apnea | 30+ Events |
How Is AHI Measured?
AHI is an average, meaning it is calculated by taking the total number of apneas and hypopneas you experience throughout a single night and dividing it by the number of hours you were asleep.
Your initial AHI score is provided to you following your first sleep study. However, that is not a set number that follows you throughout your entire sleep apnea journey. It changes often, even from night to night.
How to Calculate Your AHI
While sleeping for 7 hours and 20 minutes, you experienced 60 apneas and 120 hypopneas. Let’s figure out your AHI score!
- Find the Total Number of Sleep Apnea Events:
- 60 Apneas + 120 Hypopneas = 180 Total Sleep Apnea Events
- Figure Out the Amount of Time You Were Asleep:
- 7 Hours X 60 Minutes In an Hour = 420 Minutes
- 420 Minutes + 20 Minutes = 440 Total Minutes Spent Asleep
- Calculate How Many Sleep Apnea Events You Experienced Per Minute of Sleep:
- 180 Sleep Apnea Events ÷ 440 Minutes of Sleep = 0.27 Sleep Apnea Events Per Minute of Sleep
- Convert That Number to Sleep Apnea Events Per Hour of Sleep:
- 0.27 Sleep Apnea Events Per Minute X 60 Minutes In an Hour = 16.2 Sleep Apnea Events Per Hour of Sleep
- Check to See How Severe Your Sleep Apnea Was For That Night:
- 16.2 Sleep Apnea Events Per Hour of Sleep = Moderate Sleep Apnea
What is CPAP AHI?
Often referred to as CPAP events per hour, your CPAP AHI score tells your healthcare provider how well you respond to your current CPAP treatment plan. It indicates how many sleep apnea episodes you are experiencing while using your CPAP machine.
What Is a Good AHI Score on CPAP?
A good AHI score is usually fewer than five events per hour, but this can depend on your sleep apnea severity. People with mild sleep apnea may want to aim for less than two, while those with severe sleep apnea may shoot for under ten.
It is important to remember that CPAP therapy may not completely eliminate your sleep apnea episodes. While a CPAP AHI score of zero is excellent, most healthcare providers understand that this is not realistic for most people.
Ultimately, the goal is to simply reduce the total number of apnea episodes as much as possible so that we can limit the negative effects that sleep apnea has on your body.
How Does CPAP Measure AHI?
Your CPAP machine detects each sleep apnea event based on the guidelines provided by the Apnea-Hypopnea Index. These machines use algorithms to identify the lightest decrease in airflow, which is then compared to your recent “normal” breathing patterns. If that change is significant, it gets added to your total number of sleep apnea events per hour on CPAP.
Your CPAP report will most likely break down your events per hour data based on the type of respiratory event and its cause. Below are some categories you may see when checking out the readings on your CPAP machine.
- Apnea Hypopnea Index– AHI: Total number of events per hour on CPAP.
- Hypopnea Index– HI: Total number of slow or shallow breathing events per hour with CPAP.
- Apnea Index– AI: Total number of apneas per hour of CPAP therapy.
- Central Apnea Index– CAI: Total number of apneas caused by Central Sleep Apnea.
- Obstructive Apnea Index– OAI: Total number of apneas caused by Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
- Unknown Apnea Index– UAI: Total number of apneas that occur during an air leak, which affects the CPAP machine’s ability to determine whether they are central or obstructive apneas.
- Respiratory Effort-Related Arousal– RERA: This is the number of times you experience a small respiratory event that causes labored breathing that results in a sleep disturbance but does not quite meet the Apnea-Hypopnea Index requirements.
- Respiratory Disturbance Index– RDI: Total number of respiratory events. This combines your Apnea-Hypopnea Index score with your respiratory effort-related arousal score.
- Oxygen Desaturation Index– ODI: Total number of times per hour your blood oxygen levels drop by at least 3% for more than 10 seconds.
- Cheyne Stokes Respirations: This refers to the number of times your CPAP machine detects a specific pattern of breathing unique to a particular type of Central Sleep Apnea.
What Does 0.5 Events Per Hour Mean on CPAP?
Seeing a decimal on your AHI score is normal! Apnea-Hypopnea Index calculations are reported as an average and do not usually come out to perfectly rounded numbers. An AHI of 0.5 events per hour means that you are having one sleep apnea event every two hours.
Earlier, we calculated an AHI score for someone with 180 sleep apnea events over 7 hours and 20 minutes. That number came out to be 16.2, meaning that person would experience around 16 sleep apnea events for every hour. But every now and then, that number may have been closer to 17 or 18 breathing events in a single hour.
Improving Events Per Hour on CPAP
It can be very concerning to see that your AHI score is not as low as you would like it to be while undergoing CPAP therapy. Let’s discuss why this happens and what you can do about it!
Why Is My AHI Increasing With CPAP?
There can be several reasons why your reported CPAP events per hour are not going down.
- Mask Issues: If your CPAP mask is not fitted properly, it can lead to mask leaks, which are well known for impacting the effectiveness of your CPAP therapy. Additionally, some people accidentally remove their masks temporarily, causing the CPAP machine to record an AHI, even if one didn’t occur.
- Some Medications or Substances Impact Your Breathing: Sleep apnea is often aggravated by narcotic painkillers, muscle relaxers, sleep aids, or alcohol. Be sure to contact your doctor if you notice a change in your sleep apnea events per hour after drinking or taking a new medication.
- Development of Complex Sleep Apnea: Sometimes referred to as Treatment-Emergent Sleep Apnea, this rare condition arises when someone undergoing CPAP therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea also develops Central Sleep Apnea. Complex Sleep Apnea is very rare and usually requires changes to your CPAP treatment plan.
How to Lower AHI on CPAP
If you are still experiencing too many Apnea-Hypopnea Index events per hour, it may be time to make some changes! These can include lifestyle changes, adjusting your CPAP mask, and changing your sleeping position. In some cases, your air pressure setting may need to be adjusted.
- Make Some Lifestyle Changes: It is important to avoid things that can worsen your sleep apnea. Your doctor will likely encourage you to make some lifestyle changes, such as limiting your alcohol intake, avoiding smoking, and switching away from medications that may make it harder for you to breathe normally.
- Choose the Right Mask: Mask fit has a huge impact on whether or not your CPAP therapy will be effective. Be sure to choose a mask that meets your sleep apnea needs and adjust it correctly to avoid mask leak issues.
- Change Your Sleep Position: Did you know that sleeping on your back is the worst sleep position for recovering from sleep apnea? When on your back, your AHIs will naturally be worse because gravity works to pull your airway closed. By switching your sleeping position to your side, your machine will have to work less to keep your airway open.
- Replace Your Mask Cushion and Headgear: Your headgear and mask cushions develop wear and tear over time and must be replaced regularly. When you replace your CPAP mask equipment, you can get a better mask seal, reduce mask leaks, and allow more pressurized air to reach your airway.
- Talk to Your Doctor About Changing Your CPAP Pressure: If you have adjusted your lifestyle, CPAP equipment, and sleeping habits and are still experiencing AHI issues, it may be time to speak with your doctor about adjusting your CPAP pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the AHI Range for Severe Sleep Apnea?
The Apnea-Hypopnea Index range for severe sleep apnea starts at 30 or more sleep apnea events per hour. In extreme cases, it can be over 100.
What Is a Good AHI for Mild Sleep Apnea?
If you are undergoing CPAP treatment for sleep apnea, experts suggest your AHI target should be less than 5, if possible. However, in cases of very mild sleep apnea, your doctor may encourage you to aim for an AHI score of 2 or less.
Will Changing My Mask Improve My AHI Score?
It is important to choose a mask that fits properly and suits your needs. If you have tried to adjust your existing mask and are still experiencing mask leak issues, or your AHI score is not improving, you may need to try a new mask in a different size or style.
How Is Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) Used to Measure Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
The Apnea-Hypopnea Index is the measuring tool by which sleep specialists determine whether or not you fit the requirements for an Obstructive Sleep Apnea diagnosis. An AHI score of over 5 qualifies for at least mild sleep apnea. The higher your score, the more likely you will require CPAP therapy.
What Does 0.7 Events Per Hour Mean on CPAP Machine?
A CPAP AHI score of 0.7 is great news! If you are undergoing CPAP treatment for sleep apnea, your therapy goal is most likely less than 5 sleep apnea events per hour. An AHI score of less than 1 means you are experiencing less than 1 sleep apnea event per hour on CPAP.
Is an AHI Score the Same Thing as myAir Score?
The myAir score by ResMed is a numerical representation of your sleep quality based on certain parameters, including total sleep apnea events per hour and how often you are using your CPAP machine.
Final Thoughts
The Apnea-Hypopnea Index plays a key role in determining the severity and treatment of your sleep apnea. If you are undergoing CPAP therapy for your sleep apnea, it is very important to monitor your CPAP AHI score because it is a good indicator of whether or not you are responding well to treatment. By keeping your total events per hour under 5, you’ll be on the path toward better sleep health. And if you’re struggling to get that number under control, we hope you can use some of these tips so that you can continue to benefit from your CPAP treatment plan!
30 Responses
My cpap supplier sends me supplies quarterly, masks, cover for mask, I use full face mask, restaurants med f-30 med, using a chin strap because of mouth breather and can only sleep on my back. Only problem I have is air at times into my stomach which causes gas and possible Bowel problem with floaters, is this possible???
Hi Nick, i’m sorry to hear about the problem you are experiencing with your CPAP therapy. It sounds like you are suffering from Aerophagia, which means swallowing too much air.
I would recommend you speaking with your doctor, as they may make a medical decision to decrease your pressure, or make a recommendation for you to use an auto-titrating machine, if you aren’t already using one.
Also, you may try to lay in a position which allows your chin to remain above your torso, or try different sleep positions such as, lay on the left side or rotate to the right side. Incline with pillows or lay flat.
For further questions, or concerns, please feel free to reach us at; 1-800-356-5221, or you may e-mail us at: cpap@cpap.com.
We wish you the best!
That’s res-med equipment
Hey Nick, the article is making suggestions on how to improve your score for all manufacturer’s equipment. If you have specific questions, or concerns, please feel free to reach us at: 1-800-356-5221, or you may e-mail us at: cpap@cpap.com.
Have a great day!
I’ve been using a res med 10 BiPAP machine for 6 months or so I’ve been averaging over 10 events per night. I’ve tried all the advice on the website. My doctor seems kind of Clueless. How can lessen my events per night?
Hey Thomas, i’m sorry to hear that you’re having some problems with your therapy. Have you reviewed your data to confirm that you don’t have a lot of air leaking. If you do notice a high leak rate, you may need to change your cushion, confirm that you have the correct size mask, or switch to a different mask.
Also, what type of mask are you using (nasal, full face, nasal pillow)? If you are not using a full face mask, there is a possibility that air is leaking from your mouth and causing so many events.
I would recommend you speaking with your doctor once again, as they are able to interpret your data to confirm if maybe a setting change would benefit you.
Please feel free to reach us with any questions, or concerns at: 1-800-356-5221, or you may e-mail us at: cpap@cpap.com.
We wish you the best!
Dreamstation Auto BiPap with heated humidifier. BiPap setting 9/15. ResMed F20 memory foam full face mask. 2 liter oxygenator.
I have to wonder if the treatment is based on any kind of medical or scientific findings at all. So far mine has been pure guesswork and poor guesswork at that.
I see the whole pap industry as a gigantic money grabbing extortion.
Hi Mary, we understand that Sleep Apnea and the diagnosis and treatment process can be quite confusing and bothersome. I would encourage you to speak with your doctor if you’d like concrete evidence regarding anything related to your diagnosis.
Please see the link below which offers more information on Sleep Apnea, that you may find helpful.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20377636
Also, please feel free to reach us at: 1-800-356-5221, email: cpap@cpap.com, with any further questions, or concerns.
Have a great day!
I’m totally confused what to do. I’m a side sleeper and do have a dream mapper with humidifier. My ahi has been all over the place. But right now my ahi is around 10-12. I’ve tried all kind of masks and am frustrated. Would the ResMed AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with work for ne.?
Hi Tricia, i’m sorry to hear about the high AHI that you are experiencing. The AirFit P10 would be a great mask to try also, please see the link below of other nasal pillow masks that are good options for side sleepers.
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-compare-chart/nasal-pillow-cpap-mask/2h7e
If you purchase your mask from CPAP.com, it is sold with free 30 day returns, so if you don’t like it for any reason, you can return it for a refund, or a different mask. Keep in mind that a valid prescription is required.
I would encourage you to speak with your doctor about the data you are receiving as well, as its possible that you may need a setting adjustment.
Please see our cpaptalk.com forum to read what other customers are saying about side sleeping masks.
http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t108956/best-type-of-mask-for-side-sleeper.html
Please feel free to reach us with any further questions, or concerns at: 1-800-356-5221, or you may e-mail us at: cpap@cpap.com.
Have a great weekend!
1. I am a new C-PAP user. I wear my C-PAP for at least 6-7 hours a night, but my CPAP hourly usage is only 2.39. How can I get my hourly usage to reflect my actual time I wear my C-PAP?
2. Why is there no score for the “mask on/off” on my dashboard?
Hi April, i’m sorry that your therapy usage isn’t recording properly. In order for us to assist you, please provide the name of your machine. Also, be sure that your machine is set to the correct time and time zone.
Please feel free to reach us at: 1-800-356-5221, or you may e-mail us at: cpap@cpap.com.
Have a great day!
I have the airsense 10 autoset by resmed. It has the water tank (humidifier). My question is related to the water tank but I wanted to mention that I sleep on average 6 to 7 hours a night and my events per hour range between 0.1 to 0.8 and sometimes 0. Question. What does it mean when I fill my tank with water at max level and wake 6 hours later with no water in tank? Should I be concerned?
Hi Lady, my apologies for the delayed response. What setting do you have your humidity on? Is your humidity set to manual or auto? If auto, please change to manual and you should try the setting at 4, or 5 to begin. If more humidity is required, you can increase to your comfort.
Are you receiving a smiley face for humidity? If so, no need for concern since this indicates your humidifier is working as it should.
For further questions, or concerns, please feel free to reach us at: 1-800-356-5221, or you may e-mail us at: cpap@cpap.com.
Have a great day!
Two months later, 3 visits to the doctor and 1 visit to my supplier and what a trip. I have been using a BiPap for 11 months. One month was while I was in ICU so I don’t know much about that. I know I had 70 on my sleep lab. My doctor’s response to my jump to AHI between 15 and 21…it’s better than 70 and what do I think we should do. Well, let me check with Dr. Google and I’ all get right back with you on that, doc.
It is just a cash cow business.
Hi Mary, I’m glad to hear with the use of your BiPAP, you managed to decrease your number of AHI’s. Even though there has been a significant decrease in the number of AHI’s you have, 15-21 still indicates Moderate Sleep Apnea.
I would recommend you speaking with your doctor once again, to see if he/she can review your sleep therapy data. They may make a decision to increase your pressure settings.
If you aren’t receiving the care you need from your current physician, you may consider switching your doctor/sleep specialist. If you ever have any questions, or concerns, please feel free to reach us at: 1-800-356-5221, or you may e-mail us at: cpap@cpap.com.
We wish you continued improvement in your CPAP therapy!
I have been on cpap over 10 years I have the dream station with humidifier my reservoir also is empty at the end of the night which it wasn’t before my humidifier says adapted flex 3 ahi up and down what could be wrong
Hi Janie, when your humidifier is in adaptive mode, it means the temperature of your heated plate is changing to match the temperature in the room. If the room is cooler, it means the heat plate temperature is increasing and in turn, using more water. My suggestion would be for you to change the setting from adaptive to fixed to see if this resolves your concerns.
For further questions or concerns, please feel free to reach us at: 1-800-356-5221, or you may e-mail us at: cpap@cpap.com.
Have a great day!
I been using cpap for 14 years with great numbers, always in the 2 range. Lately, and all of a sudden, my rate jumped to the teens and even into the 20’s. This is mostly hypopneas. I tried tinkering with the pressure, the humidity, added a humidifier, to my bedroom, changed my cushion and headgear; but can’t seem to get it back to where it was. I only use a ResMed S8 as I found my S9 and S10 used up the water by the middle of the night. The water chamber in the S8 is larger. I wear a F&P Flexifit for petite faces and have used this for 13 years and my recommended pressure was 12 and I don’t use the EPR option. My question is this: Should I increase or decrease my pressure, increase or decrease the humidity? I presently put it at 14 and the humidity at 2.5. FYT, my weight has not changed and I use a nasal mask and am a side sleeper. My leak rate averages around 40.
Hi Maria, i’m sorry that you’re having some problems with your increased number of Apneas. We always recommend you speak with your doctor before you adjust your pressure setting. Your doctor, can review all of your therapy data and make a determination on if you would benefit from a setting adjustment. You can however, make comfort setting adjustments to see if that helps.
Also, your leak rate of 40 is pretty high. This may be the cause of the increase in your Apneas. I understand you’ve changed your cushion and headgear, which is great! Keep in mind you should change your cushion ever 3 months and your entire mask every 6 months. Have you changed your hose within the last 6-12 months? If not, please do so. Also, please make sure you have changed your disposable filter within the last 30 days.
Otherwise, please continue to follow-up with your doctor regarding your pressure setting as it may need to be increased.
If you would like to speak with us further, please feel free to reach us at: 1-800-356-5221, or you may e-mail us at: cpap@cpap.com.
Have a great weekend!
I use a nose cushion and just replaced it and my hose because my AHI started to creep into the 5-15 range. It is still above 5, if I’m sleeping with my mouth open, would that affect my AHI?
Hi Charlotte,
If you sleep with your mouth open while using nasal pillow mask, yes, this will affect your AHI. This is because the pressure you’re receiving is entering through your nose and coming back out through your mouth. This means, you aren’t receiving the treatment you need.
If your mouth falls open during the night, please consider using a chinstrap in conjunction with your nose cushion, or you should switch to a full face mask.
For further questions/concerns, or if you would like assistance with selecting a different mask, please feel free to reach us at: 1-800-356-5221, or you may e-mail us at: cpap@cpap.com.
Have a wonderful, safe weekend!
I’ve been using the DreamStation BiPAP for about a month or more now,and ahi has stayed between 2.9-4. The last 3 nights though have been horrible. I wake up after about 3 hrs of sleep every night,and takes about an hr to fall back asleep. I get headaches then in the same spot on left top of head,as well as upon waking. My ahi by morning(per Dreammapper app) has been 6.9-8.7 the last 3 nights. My mask doesn’t leak, humidifier is set to 2-3 every night(without using any water it seems),and my breathing seems a little shallow. I’m at a loss for words on why my ahi is creeping up. I use the AirFit F20 full face mask. Any advice would be beneficial.. thank you!
Hi Gabe, i’m very sorry for the delayed response. To confirm what’s causing your AHI, to increase, your doctor would need to review a complete detail of your therapy data.
You may need a setting adjustment, but it could be that changing some of your comfort settings, would help to lower your AHI.
Also, you mentioned your humidifier, doesn’t seem to be using any water. What setting is your humidifier on? Is it set to auto, or manual? If in auto, please change to manual and increase the humidity setting to see if this helps.
We are happy to assist you via phone with troubleshooting, or your comfort setting adjustments. Please feel free to reach us at: 1-800-356-5221.
We hope to hear from you soon!
I am new to CPAP resmed machine. Sleep test # of 14. 3 months later my # is between 11.6 to 12. Should I be able to achieve around 7 ?
Hey Weldon, welcome to the CPAP Family! Most folks, will continue to see a decline in their AHI’s as time passes. Yes, with continued and consistent use of your CPAP machine, it is possible for you to lower your AHI’s to 7, or even less.
For further questions, or concerns, please feel free to reach us at: 1-800-356-5221, or you may e-mail us at: cpap@cpap.com.
Have a great day!
My sleep apnea numbers have quadrupled in the last month. My average was. 07 for years, now it’s in the 6 to 7.5 range. Due to a shoulder injury, I try to sleep on my left side.
I’m seriously concerned about this, as I’ve been on CPAP for 11 years.
Any advice would be appreciated, especially during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Hi David,
I’m sorry to hear about the increase in your AHI. Have you confirmed what your leak rate is? If you have a high leak rate (usually, more 24L/m is considered high), this could be cause for the increase.
Also, have you recently started taking a different medication? If so, this could be reason enough to raise your AHI.
I would suggest you speaking with your doctor as he/she, will be able to review your therapy data in detail to determine the reason for the AHI increase. If you haven’t had a sleep study within the last 5-7 years, your doctor, may suggest you having one to confirm if a setting adjustment is needed.
For further questions, or concerns, please reach us at: 1-800-356-5221, or you may e-mail us at: cpap@cpap.com.
Best Wishes!
I have the air sense 10 and it works great. My problem is I have been using nasal pillows with a chin strap for years. Since getting this machine my air show severe leakage while using the nasal pillow set up, breathing through my mouth but my ahi are always low. I have talked to my supplier multiple times and tried may mask. The res med f30 works good and air leakage is very low but ahi when using this mask goes way up. Full face mask has sever leakage unless tighten so much it’s uncomfortable. My question is it better for your health to have low ahi with sever leakage or is it better to have low leakage with high ahi. Getting pretty frustrated trying to resolve both.
Hi Doug,
I can certainly understand your frustration. Both low leakage and AHI are important. What is your leak rate while using the nasal pillow mask? Is it under 24L/m? If so, in most cases this is considered acceptable. If higher, I would recommend you try using a different size cushion, or even try a different mask, or chinstrap.
The goal is to get and keep your AHI under 5. If you are receiving an AHI over 5, while using the F30, you should try a different mask. I would also encourage you to speak with your doctor about your hardships with getting ahi and leak rate at, or below what is considered normal.
If you would like to speak with us in depth about your concerns, please give us a call at: 1-800-356-5221 and we’ll be happy to provide you with suggestions and recommendations to help improve your CPAP therapy experience.
We wish you the best!