Whether you have a congenital heart defect, have experienced a heart attack or have undergone heart surgery to put in a stent, you will probably work with a local cardiologist in addition to your local family physician. Some patients with cardiovascular conditions such as heart failure, Brugada syndrome or atrial fibrillation may benefit from working with a local sleep specialist. A local sleep specialist is a medical provider who diagnoses and treats sleep disorders including insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy. Certain sleep disorders such as insomnia can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, obesity and heart disease. The treatment a local sleep specialist recommends will depend on your condition and symptoms. A local sleep specialist may perform a sleep test to monitor your heart rate and brain waves; refer you to a mental health provider such as a local psychologist, prescribe or recommend medication or help you get set up with a CPAP machine. If you think a local sleep specialist may benefit your heart condition such as heart failure, start by talking to your local cardiologist, cardiothoracic surgeon or local family physician.