I was just diagnosed with sleep apnea 2 weeks ago. 8 years ago I had a pace maker put in because I woke up and my heart rate was 300 per minute (they thought I had done drugs or something NOT) then it stopped in the middle of the night for 8 seconds and they came in with the crash cart and I woke up while in the hospital. They never found out why but now my doctor seems to think it was caused by the sleep apnea. My wife tried to tell them that 8 years ago and they didn't want to hear it. I had just turned 40 with no other health problems before the pacemaker! I have been on the CPAP for 4 days now and am waiting to feel better I have taken way to many naps. They said I stopped breathing 128 times an hour at my sleep study and CPAP machine is set at 14.

Mike, in the beginning you might find that you actually sleep more for a bit.  Folks refer to this as sleep deficit.  I myself noticed that after a few weeks I got back into a "normal" 8 hr pattern.  Give it a few days, and let us know how you are doing!

Apnea episodes do increase the heart rate, and spike blood pressure.  It is the bodies way of trying to supply enough oxygen to vital organs.  I would agree with your doctors opinion that untreated apnea could be a factor in your previous health problems.  So the wonderful news is that simply sleeping with cpap may help you a lot!
My prescribed pressure is also 14.  Pretty windy, hope you also have a heated humidifier!
Mike is right, it takes a while for the body to overcome the tremendous sleep debt accrued over years of sleep distrupted by apnea.  Listen to your body, and just be sure those naps are
"cpap-naps" - It is important to use cpap whenever you sleep, not just at night!