How the Body’s Internal Clock Affects Heart Failure

Cardiac physiology fluctuates in diurnal rhythms driven by autonomous molecular clocks synchronized by a master pacemaker.

• Circadian biology regulates cardiac function, affecting contractility, metabolism, and electrical activity.
• Disruption of molecular clocks is associated with the development of heart failure in animal studies.
• The timing of myocardial injury response may vary throughout the day.
• Human studies suggest a relationship between circadian rhythms and the pathogenesis of heart failure.
• Patients with heart failure maintain certain circadian rhythms, which could inform optimal therapy timing.
• Both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic methods to manipulate circadian rhythms may be beneficial in heart failure management.

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