How does OSA, obesity, and HF interact?
OSA, obesity, and HF have a complex interaction. In the Sleep Heart Health Study, OSA was detected in 37% of patients with HF, with a higher prevalence of OSA in men than in women. In men, the main risk factor for OSA was obesity, whereas in women, it was older age. It was also found that OSA may worsen HF symptoms in some patients, and it is also associated with worse outcomes in patients with HF.