Heart Failure and Sleep: Brain activity and city life.

Heart Failure and Sleep: Is There a Connection to Cognitive Health?

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research explores whether sleep quality and daytime sleepiness impact cognitive function in individuals with heart failure."

Cardiovascular diseases, especially heart failure (HF), are a leading health concern, affecting millions in the United States. As the population ages, the prevalence of HF is expected to rise, increasing the urgency to address the complexities of this condition.

Cognitive impairment often accompanies HF, affecting attention, memory, and executive functions. This decline in cognitive abilities can significantly impact a person's ability to manage their health and daily life. Prior research has suggested that disturbances in sleep quality may be associated with impaired cognitive performance in individuals with heart failure.

Researchers have been exploring the relationship between sleep, cognitive function, and heart failure to determine if improving sleep quality can positively influence cognitive abilities. A recent study delved into this connection, examining whether sleep quality and daytime sleepiness are associated with cognitive function in HF patients.

Does Poor Sleep Directly Affect Cognitive Function in Heart Failure Patients?

Heart Failure and Sleep: Brain activity and city life.

A study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research explored the associations between sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and cognitive function in 267 stable heart failure patients. Participants underwent assessments of cognitive function across various domains, including global cognitive function, attention, memory, and executive function. Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness were measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), respectively.

The study used multiple hierarchical linear regressions to determine the associations between cognitive function and sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. Researchers controlled for factors like sex, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, education, depressive symptoms, and medical comorbidities.

Cognitive function: Assessed using neuropsychological tests covering global cognitive function, attention, memory, and executive function.
Sleep quality: Measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
Daytime sleepiness: Evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).
Statistical analysis: Multiple regression models to assess relationships, controlling for key variables.

Interestingly, the study found that cognitive function was not significantly associated with sleep quality or daytime sleepiness after corrections for multiple comparisons were applied. This suggests that in HF patients, other factors may exert a greater influence on cognitive performance than sleep quality or daytime sleepiness alone.

The Takeaway: Focus on Comprehensive Heart Failure Management

While this study did not find a direct link between sleep quality and cognitive function in heart failure patients, it's important to recognize the complexity of managing heart failure. Factors beyond sleep, such as overall health, lifestyle, and adherence to medical advice, likely play significant roles in cognitive well-being. Further research is needed to explore these interactions and identify targeted interventions to support cognitive health in individuals with heart failure.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2018.08.003, Alternate LINK

Title: Sleep Quality And Daytime Sleepiness Are Not Associated With Cognition In Heart Failure

Subject: Psychiatry and Mental health

Journal: Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Fawn A. Walter, David Ede, Misty A.W. Hawkins, Mary A. Dolansky, John Gunstad, Richard Josephson, Shirley M. Moore, Joel W. Hughes

Published: 2018-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is heart failure, and why is it important to understand?

Heart failure (HF) is a cardiovascular condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It's a major health concern, especially as the population ages. Understanding HF is crucial because it often leads to other complications, and managing it effectively is vital for overall health and quality of life. Cognitive impairment can occur, impacting a person's ability to manage their health and daily life. While sleep disturbances are common in those with HF, this study suggests that other factors may play a more significant role in cognitive function.

What is the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and why is it used?

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a tool used to measure sleep quality. It's significant because it provides a standardized way to assess various aspects of sleep, such as sleep duration, sleep disturbances, and overall sleep satisfaction. Healthcare professionals and researchers use the PSQI to evaluate sleep patterns and identify potential sleep problems that may affect health and well-being. The PSQI was used to determine any associations between cognitive function with sleep quality and daytime sleepiness.

What does the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) measure, and why is that important?

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a questionnaire used to measure daytime sleepiness. It's important because it helps to quantify how likely a person is to fall asleep in various situations, providing insights into their level of daytime alertness. High scores on the ESS may indicate excessive daytime sleepiness, which can be a sign of underlying sleep disorders or other health issues. The ESS was a metric used in the study to determine any associations between cognitive function with sleep quality and daytime sleepiness.

What does cognitive function mean, and why is it important, especially in the context of heart failure?

Cognitive function refers to various mental processes such as attention, memory, and executive functions. These abilities are essential for daily tasks, problem-solving, and decision-making. Cognitive impairment can impact a person's ability to manage their health and daily life, highlighting the importance of monitoring and supporting cognitive health, especially in conditions like heart failure, where cognitive decline is often observed. This study assessed global cognitive function, attention, memory, and executive function.

What is the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, and why is it relevant to heart failure?

The New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification is a system used to classify the severity of heart failure based on a person's physical limitations. It ranges from Class I (no limitation of physical activity) to Class IV (unable to carry on any physical activity without discomfort). The NYHA class provides a standardized way for healthcare professionals to assess the impact of heart failure on a person's daily life and guide treatment decisions. The researchers controlled for factors like NYHA class in the statistical analysis.