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1
Heart failure affects more than 60 million people worldwide, with prevalence rising because of population aging and improved survival after acute cardiovascular events.
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2
Sleep-disordered breathing, comprising obstructive and central sleep apnea, is common in heart failure and is associated with adverse remodeling, arrhythmias, and worse clinical outcomes.
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3
Obstructive sleep apnea may worsen heart failure through negative intrathoracic pressure, increased left ventricular afterload and myocardial oxygen demand, intermittent hypoxia, and sympathetic activation.
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4
Central sleep apnea is generally considered a consequence of heart failure and is associated with increased mortality.
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5
Respiratory instability may persist during wakefulness and in the upright position, suggesting a broader cardiorespiratory disorder associated with heart failure severity and adverse prognosis.
