When the Heart and Sleep Work Against Each Other

Heart failure affects the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively throughout the body.

Sleep disorders are extremely common in people living with heart failure, yet many remain undiagnosed.

Why Sleep Matters

Poor sleep can contribute to:

• Increased cardiac workload
• Reduced oxygen delivery
• Elevated blood pressure
• Daytime fatigue

These issues may worsen existing heart disease.

Signs of Sleep Problems in Heart Failure

Many patients experience:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Snoring
• Witnessed breathing pauses
• Frequent awakenings
• Morning fatigue

Unfortunately, these symptoms are sometimes mistaken as being solely related to heart disease.

Better Sleep, Better Health

Identifying and treating sleep disorders may assist with symptom management and help improve quality of life for many people living with cardiovascular disease.