Journal of cardiac failure
-
Review
Autonomic abnormalities in congestive heart failure patients with sleep-disordered breathing.
The increasing prevalence of chronic heart failure is affecting patients' longevity, quality of life, and health resources, despite advances in management. Recognizing and treating comorbid illnesses is critical. Risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes are treated, but less importance is placed on the role of sleep apnea in heart failure. ⋯ This review explores the impact of sleep disordered breathing in patients with chronic heart failure, focusing on the autonomic nervous system.