JFK Had Sleep Apnea?
35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy was the youngest man elected to the office and also the youngest to die when he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. He barely served a thousand days, yet still made a significant impact by boosting the economy out of recession, establishing peace to curb the nuclear arms race, and advocating equality for African Americans and women.
During his presidency, JFK suffered a number of health problems. While sleep apnea wasn’t suspected, CPAP could have helped to treat symptoms for several of his ailments:
1. Hypersomnia: JFK fell asleep unexpectedly, sometimes in the middle of conversations.¹ Hypersomnia can be caused by sleep apnea or lack of sleep from other causes. JFK was also known to suffer from restless sleep.
2. High cholesterol: In order to maintain a healthy weight, JFK took steroids that possibly contributed to an elevated cholesterol level.² Sleep apnea can play a significant role in worsening the effects of high cholesterol,³ so using a CPAP could’ve helped JFK manage his cholesterol levels.
3. Back pain: JFK suffered severe back pain, which interfered with his sleep. Studies have shown that untreated sleep apnea can increase sensitivity to pain the following day,⁴ which means using a CPAP may have lessened the symptoms of JFK’s back ailment.
How Sleep Problems Affected JFK
JFK purposely hid the extent of his health issues so that voters would elect him without worrying that they his ability as president would be hindered. In addition to the health problems listed above, JFK also suffered from other complications with his stomach, colon, prostate, and adrenal glands. It comes as no surprise that JFK had trouble sleeping!
JFK received injections of amphetamines and painkillers to help him sleep at night,² but these medications may have been contributing to a sleep disorder. Narcotic painkillers, typically prescribed for back pain, can actually cause or worsen symptoms of sleep apnea.⁴
What JFK Needed: ResMed’s Smartest CPAP
Given all of JFK’s health issues, he could have greatly benefited from today’s advanced sleep therapy technology. Newer CPAPs like ResMed’s AirSense 11 are auto-titrating, meaning they adjust to your needs breath-by-breath to give the most effective pressure all night. The AirSense 11 has automatic comfort settings to help you stay CPAP compliant:
- Humidification: 7 levels of humidity and an optional heated tube ensures you don’t dry out
- EPR: Expiratory Pressure Relief reduces pressure upon exhale, avoiding high pressure mask leaks
- AutoRamp: Starts your sleep therapy at a low pressure so you fall asleep more comfortably
- Humidification: 7 levels of humidity and an optional heated tube ensures you don’t dry out
- EPR: Expiratory Pressure Relief reduces pressure upon exhale, avoiding high pressure mask leaks
- AutoRamp: Starts your sleep therapy at a low pressure so you fall asleep more comfortably
Save $350 when you upgrade to ResMed’s smartest CPAP today!
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Sources:
- “Presidential Sleep Problems.” SleepBetter. 18 February 2019.
- “The medical ordeals of JFK.” Dallek, Robert. Atlantic Monthly. December 2002.
- “Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Lipid Abnormalities.” Karkinski et al. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences. 15 February 2017.
- “Sleep loss and REM sleep loss are hyperalgesic.” Roehrs et al. Sleep. 29 February 2006.
Image credits: 1964 Warren Commission report & CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images
