Heart intertwined with sleeping legs.

Night Moves: How Sleep Impacts Heart Health in Heart Failure Patients

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness July 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the surprising link between periodic leg movements during sleep and increased risks for those with acute decompensated heart failure."

Heart failure (HF) remains a significant health challenge, marked by high rates of hospitalization and mortality, despite advancements in treatment. Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), a condition where heart failure symptoms suddenly worsen, often leads to hospital stays and further progression of the disease. Identifying risk factors that contribute to readmission and death among ADHF patients is vital for improving comprehensive heart care.

One area of growing interest is the role of periodic leg movements during sleep (PLM). PLM is characterized by repetitive leg movements that occur during sleep. While PLM is common in the general population, it's especially prevalent in individuals with chronic heart failure. Studies suggest PLM may predict adverse outcomes in these patients. However, the impact of PLM on hospitalized patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) following an ADHF episode has remained largely unexplored.

A recent study investigated the relationship between PLM and clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized for ADHF with reduced LVEF. The study aimed to determine if PLM could serve as a valuable indicator of risk for readmission or death in this vulnerable population.

What are Periodic Leg Movements and Why Do They Matter in Heart Failure?

Periodic leg movements during sleep (PLM) are rhythmic, repetitive movements of the legs that occur during sleep. These movements can range from subtle twitches to more pronounced jerks and typically occur every 20 to 40 seconds. While most people are unaware of these movements, they can disrupt sleep and lead to daytime fatigue.

In individuals with heart failure, PLM is more common than in the general population. The reasons for this increased prevalence are not entirely clear, but several factors may contribute:

Reduced Blood Flow: Heart failure can lead to decreased blood flow to the legs, potentially triggering PLM.
Nerve Dysfunction: Heart failure may affect nerve function, increasing the likelihood of involuntary leg movements.
Medications: Some medications used to treat heart failure may contribute to PLM.
Sleep Disordered Breathing: Conditions like sleep apnea that are common in heart failure patients may exacerbate PLM.

Given the potential impact of PLM on sleep quality and overall health, understanding its role in heart failure is crucial. The study we're discussing sheds light on this connection in a specific group of patients: those hospitalized for ADHF with reduced LVEF.

What's Next? Taking Control of Your Sleep and Heart Health

This study underscores the importance of addressing sleep-related issues in patients with heart failure, particularly those recovering from an ADHF episode. While more research is needed to fully understand the cause-and-effect relationship between PLM and adverse outcomes, it's clear that identifying and managing PLM could be a valuable component of comprehensive heart failure care. If you have heart failure and experience restless sleep or suspect you may have periodic leg movements, talk to your doctor. They can assess your sleep patterns and recommend appropriate strategies to improve your sleep quality and protect your heart health.

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: 10.1253/circj.cj-16-0934, Alternate LINK

Title: Impact On Clinical Outcomes Of Periodic Leg Movements During Sleep In Hospitalized Patients Following Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Subject: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Journal: Circulation Journal

Publisher: Japanese Circulation Society

Authors: Shoichiro Yatsu, Takatoshi Kasai, Shoko Suda, Hiroki Matsumoto, Nanako Shiroshita, Mitsue Kato, Fusae Kawana, Azusa Murata, Takao Kato, Masaru Hiki, Hiroyuki Daida

Published: 2017-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly are periodic leg movements during sleep, or PLM, and why are they important for individuals with heart failure?

Periodic leg movements during sleep, or PLM, are repetitive leg movements that occur during sleep, typically every 20 to 40 seconds. They can range from subtle twitches to more pronounced jerks, often disrupting sleep and leading to daytime fatigue. In individuals with heart failure, PLM is more common, potentially due to reduced blood flow, nerve dysfunction, medications, or co-existing conditions like sleep apnea. Identifying and managing PLM could be a valuable component of comprehensive heart failure care, particularly for those recovering from an acute decompensated heart failure episode.

What is acute decompensated heart failure, or ADHF, and how does it relate to the study of periodic leg movements during sleep, or PLM?

Acute decompensated heart failure, or ADHF, is a condition where heart failure symptoms suddenly worsen, often requiring hospitalization. Research suggests that PLM may predict adverse outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure. A recent study investigated the relationship between PLM and clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized for ADHF with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), aiming to determine if PLM could serve as a valuable indicator of risk for readmission or death in this vulnerable population. Understanding and addressing PLM in ADHF patients could lead to improved comprehensive heart failure care.

What does reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, or LVEF, mean, and why was the study specifically focused on patients with ADHF and reduced LVEF?

Reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, or LVEF, refers to a condition where the left ventricle of the heart is not pumping blood out to the body as efficiently as it should. The study focused on patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure, or ADHF, who also had reduced LVEF. The researchers aimed to understand if periodic leg movements during sleep, or PLM, could indicate a higher risk of readmission or mortality in this specific group of patients. By studying this population, the study aims to provide insights into how sleep-related issues impact heart health outcomes in a particularly vulnerable subset of heart failure patients.

Why are periodic leg movements during sleep, or PLM, more common in heart failure patients, and what underlying factors might contribute to this?

While the exact reasons for the increased prevalence of periodic leg movements during sleep, or PLM, in heart failure patients aren't entirely clear, several factors are thought to contribute. These include reduced blood flow to the legs due to heart failure, potential nerve dysfunction caused by the condition, medications used to treat heart failure that may contribute to PLM, and the exacerbating effects of sleep-disordered breathing conditions like sleep apnea, which are common in heart failure patients. More research is needed to fully understand these connections, but addressing these potential factors could improve sleep quality and overall health in heart failure patients.

If I have heart failure and think I might be experiencing periodic leg movements during sleep, or PLM, what should I do?

If you have heart failure and suspect you have periodic leg movements during sleep, or PLM, the first step is to talk to your doctor. They can assess your sleep patterns and recommend appropriate strategies to improve your sleep quality and protect your heart health. While the cause-and-effect relationship between periodic leg movements during sleep, or PLM, and adverse outcomes needs further research, managing PLM could be a valuable component of comprehensive heart failure care, especially after an acute decompensated heart failure, or ADHF, episode. Discussing your concerns with a healthcare professional ensures you receive personalized advice and care.