Dear Mary, thank you for your question. Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed during a sleep study where the patient's breathing is continuously monitored to detect periods where normal breathing stops. This occurs because extra tissue in the throat can block the trachea to prevent air from entering the lungs during inspiration. If you have further questions about the validity of the diagnosis of sleep apnea, then I suggest that you speak with the physician who is treating you for this problem. I hope you find this information useful.
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Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem. Information contained within this forum is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.