Heiss needed electricity to power her Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, and the threat of losing power also meant dealing with the dangers of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) without any treatment for days.

This fear is gone thanks to Inspire® therapy.

“It’s really been life-altering,” Heiss said.

The Sun City Center, Fla., resident has had OSA for 15 years, and both Heiss and her husband Marty were diagnosed with the condition around the same time.

Both received CPAP machines, which need power to operate. Plus, traveling with a CPAP machine is difficult if an evacuation were needed.

The treatment worked for Heiss for more than a decade before she began developing claustrophobia and anxiety when wearing it at night and stopped using the machine.

Heiss worked as a nurse at the time but barely had enough energy to get through her day.

She fell asleep before dinner, couldn’t drive on road trips for more than an hour before dozing off and was snoring terribly.

Nancy’s husband began researching different treatment options. Marty came across Inspire therapy, and they both had sleep studies done.

The results were surprising. Marty’s obstructive sleep apnea went from severe to mild, so he didn’t qualify. Nancy’s case went from mild to severe, meaning she was now a candidate for the Inspire implant.

Heiss received Inspire in November 2021. She said it’s made a positive impact on her life.

“I don’t fall asleep in the middle of the afternoon anymore,” she said. “I really liked when my doctor told me that I was the valedictorian of sleep studies.”

Today, Heiss can volunteer in an ambulance and keep up with her young granddaughter. She’s also not worried about finding an outlet for her CPAP if the power goes out during an intense storm.

One of the biggest changes has been road trips with Heiss with her husband, where she’s able to drive for hours at a time.