Sleep disturbances in caregivers of patients with end-stage congestive heart failure: Part I--The problem.

Up to 90% of caregivers report sleep disturbances, particularly congestive heart failure (CHF) caregivers. Sleep disturbances have numerous consequences that can negatively impact a wide domain of outcomes in both the caregiver and the patient for whom they care. Ultimately, these disturbances can lead to caregiver morbidity and CHF patient morbidity, readmission, and mortality. Nurses play a central role in patient education, especially with caregivers. Therefore, nurses can help to educate caregivers on the consequences of stress-related sleep disturbances, which are very prevalent in CHF caregivers.