Myocardial protection has always been the focus of research in the anesthesia field, and non‑drug therapy has gradually become a research hotspot. In recent years, it has been found that moderate intermittent hypoxia (IH) can mobilize the endogenous protective mechanism of the heart. This article reviews the myocardial protective mechanism of intermittent hypoxia and goes through related clinical research results, and finally investigates the possible implementation and prospects of intermittent hypoxia.