The Importance of Diaphragmatic Function in Neuromuscular Expression in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a set of symptoms and physical manifestations caused by the inability of the heart to perform its normal contractile function and satisfy the blood needs of all organs. This dysfunction leads to a non-physiological adaptation of all body systems, including the skeletal muscles and the diaphragm. The myopathy found in patients brings symptoms such as fatigue and intolerance to exercise, with an entity not always attributable to cardiac function. Neuromuscular incoordination is one of the symptoms related to CHF, causing an increased risk of mortality and hospitalization. The article reviews diaphragmatic adaptation in the presence of CHF and seeks to emphasize the importance of the diaphragm in understanding skeletal muscle incoordination in patients.