Restrictive Lung Function Is Related to Sympathetic Hyperactivity in Patients With Heart Failure

Highlights • Deactivation of pulmonary stretch receptors is a cause of sympathetic overactivation in patients with heart failure, but it remains unknown whether impaired lung function is independently associated with sympathetic overactivation. • Decreased functional vital capacity was an independent predictor of increased level of direct measures of sympathetic nerve outflow. • Changes in percentage of vital capacity negatively correlated with those in sympathetic nerve activity during follow-up. • Restrictive lung function is associated with increased sympathetic nerve activity independently from heart failure severity.