When you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, one of the first things your doctor will talk to you about is your AHI and RDI. But what do these acronyms mean, and what is the difference between them? This blog post will explain the difference between AHI and RDI, and help you understand which number is more important for you.
What is AHI?
AHI apnea hypopnea index is a number that reflects the severity of your sleep apnea. AHI is the total number of apneas and hypopneas per hour of sleep. AHI is used to diagnose sleep apnea and to determine how well treatments are working. A normal AHI is less than five events per hour. AHI greater than five but less than 15 is considered mild sleep apnea. AHI greater than 15 but less than 30 is considered moderate sleep apnea. A AHI greater than 30 is considered severe sleep apnea. People with severe sleep apnea are at increased risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and other health problems. If you have sleep apnea, treatment can help reduce your AHI and improve your health.
What is RDI?
RDI, or respiratory disturbance index, is a medical measure used to assess the severity of sleep apnea. It is calculated by dividing the number of breaths taken during an apnea event by the total number of breaths taken during the entire sleep period. A high RDI indicates a more severe form of sleep apnea. RDI is typically used in conjunction with other measures, such as oxygen saturation levels and heart rate, to diagnose and treat sleep apnea. RDI can also be useful in tracking the progress of treatment and determining whether a change in therapy is needed.
Difference between AHI and RDI
- AHI, or the apnea hypopnea index, is a measure of the number of apneas and hypopneas per hour of sleep. RDI, or the respiratory disturbance index, is a measure of the number of respiratory events per hour of sleep. AHI is typically used to diagnose sleep apnea, while RDI is used to diagnose other sleep disorders. AHI is calculated by dividing the number of apneas and hypopneas by the total time spent asleep.
- RDI is calculated by dividing the number of respiratory events by the total time spent asleep. AHI is considered normal if it is less than 5 per hour, while RDI is considered normal if it is less than 10 per hour. AHI and RDI are both important measures of sleep quality, but AHI is more commonly used to diagnose sleep apnea.
Conclusion
Although both AHI and RDI are important metrics to track, it is important to understand the difference between them in order to ensure you are tracking the right information. By understanding how these two metrics work, you can more accurately measure your sleep apnea treatment progress and make sure you’re on the right track to better health.
