Poor sleep increases the risk for heart disease

Restless sleep and clogged arteries both of which are complaints increase with advancing age. As atherosclerosis is known accumulations of Plaque in the arteries have to do behavior, at first glance, nothing to do with our sleep. A recent study found a connection between poor sleep and vascular calcification.

Researchers at the Univerity of California found a connection between sleep disorders and atherosclerosis. A frequently interrupted sleep is associated according to the study, with increased circulating inflammation throughout the circulatory system, which increases lead deposits in the blood vessels and the risk for cardiovascular increase diseases. The results of the research were recently presented in the prestigious scientific journal “PLOS Biology”.

Poor sleep activates a unique signaling pathway

“We have found that fragmented sleep is associated with a unique signal path in the connection,” said Professor Matthew Walker, senior author of the study. These signal channels in turn, with a higher number of Plaques in the coronary arteries in combination.

Poor sleep as a risk factor for heart disease

The results add poor sleep as a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. “To our Knowledge, these data are the first to sleep fragmentation, inflammation, and atherosclerosis in humans in connection bring,” adds Raphael Vallat from the study team. Other established risk factors for heart disease are

Complex Analysis

The findings of the study are based on an evaluation of the diagnostic data of more than 1,600 adults in middle and old age. The influence of known risk factors was taken into account to determine the influence of sleep quality. In addition to blood tests, various sleep measurements were performed on the Participants, including long-term measurements by bracelets and eight-day sleep analysis with the brain current measurements in the sleep laboratory.

Clear Connection

The final result showed a clear connection between disturbed sleep patterns and higher concentrations of circulating inflammatory factors. In particular, the concentration of white blood cells, called monocytes, and neutrophils were increased. These play a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

This also reflects the findings that have already been obtained in experiments on mice. In rodents, were constantly exposed to sleep disorders, also increased the values of circulating in the blood inflammation. These results have a major impact on public health, underline the researchers.

Atherosclerosis – a silent Killer

Arteries calcification of the arteries and often begin early in adulthood. “Unfortunately, this process goes largely unnoticed, until the plaque accumulation is blocked in the middle or old age, suddenly, the arterial blood flow to the heart, lungs, brain, and/or other organs,” says Vallat. Due to the insidious nature of the disease of the sleep hygiene should be given more attention.

People appreciate the quality of your sleep is often wrong

The research team recommends to monitor the sleeping with sleep trackers, with the highest possible quality. It, the study showed also that many of the participants, the quality of the own sleep, the wrong view.

“If you track your sleep habits with objective measurements, as they measure your weight, your blood pressure or your cholesterol level, you can change your sleeping habits, which could have a significant effect on health outcomes later in life,” adds Vyoma Shah from the study team.

Also, other diseases could be encouraged

“This relationship between fragmented sleep and chronic inflammation may not be limited to, heart disease,” adds Walker. It is conceivable that the inflammation could also promote neurological disorders such as severe depression and Alzheimer’s disease. This needs to be investigated in future studies. (vb)

Also read: sleep Better: 5 tips for a restful night’s sleep.

Authors and source of information

This Text meets the requirements of the medical literature, medical guidelines, as well as current studies and was examined by doctors and Medical scientists.