In medically treated patients with heart failure, treatment of coexisting obstructive sleep apnea by continuous positive airway pressure reduces systolic blood pressure and improves left ventricular systolic function. Obstructive sleep apnea may thus have an adverse effect in heart failure that can be addressed by targeted therapy.

Sleep apnea is very common among stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation, and its presence is associated with worse functional impairment and a longer period of hospitalization and rehabilitation. These data suggest that sleep apnea may be contributing to functional impairment and prolonged hospitalization following stroke.