Heart failure and sleep apnea: What to know

A healthy heart and good sleep are two of the most important things in life. It’s hard to have one without the other, especially if you live with a cardiovascular disease such as heart failure or a sleep disorder like sleep apnea.

Many people may not know if they have one, the other or both.

• With sleep apnea, common symptoms – such as waking up repeatedly throughout the night, snoring and daytime fatigue – can seem like a normal part of life.

• With heart failure, common symptoms – including shortness of breath, feeling tired and congestion – may seem like a part of “slowing down” with age.

But both conditions are serious. When they occur together – it’s estimated up to 60% of people with heart failure also have sleep apnea¹ – the potential risks become even more serious.

Let’s take a quick look at the connection between your heart and sleep, and some signs something may not be right.

Importance of a healthy heart

Your heart is one of your most vital organs. It pumps blood throughout your body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to your cells. These cells use the oxygen and nutrients to perform their work, keeping your organs – including your brain, lungs, kidneys and liver – working properly.

Your heart also helps regulate your heartbeat and plays a key role in maintaining a healthy blood pressure, keeping your entire system working properly.

Poor sleep impact on heart health

Quality sleep keeps your heart, brain and immune system healthy. It helps restore your energy, keep you alert, and balance your emotions and behavior. Adults need about seven to nine hours of sleep each night to cycle through all four stages of sleep, each of which plays a crucial role in recovery for your body and mind.

Without enough sleep, your body misses important “housekeeping” cycles. Over time, chronic sleep deprivation can increase your risk of serious cardiovascular problems, including:²

• Heart failure – your heart is too weak (or stiff) to pump blood properly.

• High blood pressure (hypertension) – your blood pressure is consistently too high, making your heart work harder.

• Heart attack – blood flow to part of your heart is blocked, causing damage to the heart.

• Stroke – blood flow to part of your brain is cut off, damaging brain cells.
  

If you have a sleep disorder, these risks can rise even further. For example, people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – one of the most common sleep disorders – often don’t get enough oxygen during sleep. That’s because the tongue and other throat muscles relax and fall back, partially or completely blocking the airway. When this happens, you briefly wake up to take a breath. Even if you don’t remember waking up, this happens repeatedly throughout the night, disrupting your sleep and lowering the oxygen your body gets.

Over time, this lack of oxygen can put a strain on your heart and the rest of your body, which may lead to serious cardiovascular conditions, including those listed above.

• Heart failure – The repeated oxygen shortages can make your heart struggle to keep up with your body’s demands. Over time, this can cause fatigue, shortness of breath and swelling in your legs or feet. Left untreated, heart failure can lead to severe, even fatal, complications.

• High blood pressure (hypertension) – To make up for the limited oxygen, your heart beats faster and harder. Over time, this can lead to serious complications, including heart attack or stroke.

• Heart attack – Without enough oxygen, part of your heart can be damaged or die, potentially leading to life-threatening complications.

• Stroke – Occurs when your brain doesn’t get enough blood and oxygen, which can cause symptoms, such as speech, vision or mobility problems.
  

Common symptoms of heart conditions

While type of heart condition has specific symptoms, they all may include:^3,4

• Shortness of breath

• Chest or neck pain

• Emotional distress

• Excessive daytime fatigue

• Frequent awakenings during sleep

Heart conditions can also make sleep apnea worse, creating a cycle where poor sleep and heart strain amplify each other.

Treatment is available – and key to health

Cardiovascular diseases and sleep apnea are treatable. It’s important to consult a medical provider for diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to you. It’s also essential to follow that plan closely or discussing alternatives with your doctor if it’s not working.

Plans will often begin with lifestyle adjustments – such as diet, exercise and sleep hygiene – which complement additional treatments for heart conditions and sleep apnea.

For heart conditions, treatments vary by type of heart condition and your individual needs but often include medication.

For sleep apnea, treatment depends on symptoms, severity and your medical history. For obstructive sleep apnea, these may include:

• Dental appliances that help position the airway.

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to force air into your lungs through a hose and mask during sleep.

• Inspire^® therapy – an implantable upper airway nerve stimulation device that helps you breathe regularly.

• Surgeries to correct facial structural issues
  

If you have both a heart condition and sleep apnea, healthcare providers can coordinate a personalized care plan. By discussing options and following the plan, you can support your heart, pursue better sleep and improve your overall quality of life.

Sources

1 PMC, Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Heart Failure: Current Knowledge and Future Directions. July 16, 2022.

2 American Heart Association, What Is Cardiovascular Disease? January 10. 2024.

3 Mayo Clinic, Heart disease - Symptoms and causes. August 13, 2024.

4 Cleveland Clinic, Heart Disease: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment. September 19, 2025.

American Heart Association, Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association | Circulation. June 21, 2021.

American Heart Association, Sleep Apnea and Heart Health. June 26, 2023.

Better Health Channel, Heart explained. February 25, 2022.

Cleveland Clinic, Heart: Anatomy & Function. January 26, 2024.

European Respiratory Society, Sleep apnoea and heart failure. 2022.

Harvard Health, 5 warning signs of early heart failure. July 7, 2023.

Nature, Obstructive sleep apnea-related hypertension: a review of the literature and clinical management strategy | Hypertension Research. August 29, 2024.

Science Direct, A State-of-the-Art Review on Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Heart Failure. May 2023.

Sleep Foundation, Is Sleep Apnea Connected to Heart Disease? July 15, 2025.