Dr. Sameer Matour

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent among patients with heart failure (HF) and is increasingly recognized as an important contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recurrent upper airway obstruction during sleep leads to intermittent hypoxia, sympathetic nervous system activation, intrathoracic pressure fluctuations, and systemic inflammation, all of which can worsen cardiac function and accelerate the progression of HF. Conversely, heart failure may increase the severity of sleep-disordered breathing through fluid redistribution and upper airway narrowing. Early identification and management of OSA in patients with HF can improve symptoms, quality of life, and cardiovascular outcomes. This review highlights the pathophysiological links between HF and OSA, discusses current diagnostic approaches, and summarizes available treatment strategies with an emphasis on their clinical implications and future research directions.