Heart disease is a common illness among many adults that can create various health restrictions and decreased the quality of life for its victims. Until recently, the link between heart disease and sleep apnea was unknown, but current research has proven the inevitable. Though sleep apnea may not be a direct cause of heart disease, patients with various cardiovascular problems such as stroke, heart failure, and high blood pressure commonly suffer from sleep apnea as well. Preventing the breathing interruptions caused by sleep apnea is important for maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.

Home oxygen use is a substantial treatment for this type of health condition; however, the patient wishing to begin home oxygen use must undergo a special nocturnal pulse oximetry testing to qualify for this valuable treatment. VirtuOx Inc. is covered by Medicare and is an Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility which can conduct this testing on patients and aid them in getting this valuable home oxygen qualification.

The Relation Between Sleep Apnea and Heart Disease

When a patient suffers from Sleep Apnea, the oxygen levels in their body falls as their breathing ceases. This excites the receptors that alert the brain and causes the blood pressure to rise. Because of this reaction, the brain sends signals throughout the nervous system signaling the blood vessels in the body to tighten up. The reaction caused by this stays within the body's memory bank and carries over to the next day, even when the patient is alert and awake. This causes decreased functions due to the low night time oxygen levels that persist even when the patient is breathing normally.

Qualifying for Home Oxygen Use

The testing process to qualify a sleep apnea patient for home oxygen use is regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services which require that all test results must be valid and meet specific criteria to qualify for home treatment. Oximetry is defined as the measuring of oxygen saturation of the blood by means of an oximeter. Because the human body must maintain a specific fraction of oxygen saturated hemoglobin to maintain optimal health and maintain an adequate balance of oxygen in the blood, nocturnal pulse oximetry testing is crucial for patients that have oxygen levels that cannot maintain their minimum levels.

By obtaining an oximeter for personal use, patients can keep on top of this important health condition and receive the vital oxygen they need to maintain their health.

How oximetry testing works

A physician's order is the first step to beginning home overnight pulse oximetry testing. Once VirtuOx receives the patient's prescription to begin oxygen services, they can start the testing process to qualify a patient for home oxygen use. VirtuOx utilizes their self-developed, web-based communication software that works in collaboration with Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers as the courier of oximeters to and from the patient's home. Once the software is delivered and set up in the patient's home, the DME provider will be able to connect the oximeter to their computer and have the capability of uploading all of the patient's test data through VirtuOx's secure HIPPA compliant servers. This detailed report provided is then faxed directly to the physician and gives them the valuable information they need to place the order for home oxygen for the sleep apnea patient.

Our Quality Services

VirtuOx Inc. is the trusted choice for patients suffering from sleep apnea. Our VirtuOx Application is compatible with a variety of different oximeters such as Nonin, Respironics, and VirtuOx VPOD oximeters. The longer a patient suffers from sleep apnea symptoms, the more damage they can do to their cardiovascular system. Treating this health condition early on can prevent further serious health risks from advancing. The advanced and valuable oximetry test is the first important step on the road to recovery. Once home oxygen qualification is established, patients can endure the benefits of home oxygen use that is carefully monitored by a qualified physician.

Sleep apnea does not have to cause cardiac risks. We at VirtuOx are dedicated to helping our patients thrive in a healthy environment and improve their health conditions with our innovative services. Give us a call today to see how we can get you started on the path to a healthier lifestyle protecting our patients from the dangerous effects of sleep apnea. Our VirtuOx customer service staff is highly trained in our overnight pulse oximetry devices, and we look forward to answering all of your questions and helping you with your sleep apnea needs.

VirtuOx is the leader in home sleep tests and pulse oximetry.