Poor rest affects cardiovascular health: Physical activity alone cannot counterbalance the negative impacts of inadequate sleep.
Study at Uppsala University Reveals Impacts of Poor Sleep on Heart Health
Researchers from Uppsala University have explored the effects of poor sleep on the human body, with a specific focus on heart health. In a controlled crossover study, scientists observed fluctuations in participants' biomarkers following nights of sleep deprivation and quality sleep.
The research team kept track of participants' biomarkers after they endured sessions of both poor sleep and restful sleep. They discovered that several biomarkers indicative of inflammation and heart health increased after just three consecutive nights of suboptimal sleep.
Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advocates for adults to have at least seven hours of sleep nightly, achieving this goal can be difficult due to factors like stress and underlying health conditions.
experts have warned of the potential consequences of forgoing recommended sleep, including exacerbated mental health issues and accelerated brain aging. The researchers at Uppsala University wanted to determine how swiftly the body can respond negatively to short-term sleep deprivation.
During the study, 16 healthy young men were put through two sessions, each lasting three nights in a sleep lab. Within one session, participants underwent restricted sleep, averaging 4.25 hours per night. Meanwhile, another session allowed participants to sleep normally, averaging around 8.5 hours each night.
To monitor the participants during the sleep lab sessions, the researchers collected blood samples in the morning, evening, and before and after high-intensity exercise. The exercise sessions lasted 30 minutes.
The study analyzed 88 proteins linked to cardiovascular conditions like leptin, lipoprotein lipase, and galectin-9. The researchers found that even short-term sleep restriction caused alterations in the participants' biomarkers.
Three nights of compromised sleep elevated proteins that amplify the risk of cardiovascular disease. Exercise alleviated some of the effects but did not erase them completely, as 16 proteins still increased in association with sleep restriction.
"The upregulated set included several stress, interleukin, and chemokine-related proteins," noted the study authors. Background proteins attributed to the positive effects of exercise were still present, although they did not amplify as much as they did during normal sleep.
The findings from this study suggest that even young, healthy men are vulnerable to negative biological changes with just a few nights of subpar sleep. It underscores the importance of addressing poor sleep patterns and their potential impacts on heart health.
Further research is underway to assess the implications of short-term sleep restriction in older adults and women, as these demographics may be more susceptible to sleep's effects.
Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, emphasized the relevance of the study findings, stating, "This biomarker-based study found changes in blood chemistry associated with inflammation after a few nights of sleep restriction, suggesting a biochemical mechanism through which poor quality sleep can impact health."
Poor sleep has been linked to numerous health factors, including cardiovascular health, endocrine function, and immune response. To maintain optimal sleep quality, Chen recommends a consistent sleep schedule, practicing good sleep hygiene free of caffeine and electronic devices, exercising regularly, and following a balanced diet.
Harneet Walia, MD, medical director of sleep at the Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, also highlighted the study's importance, adding, "The findings add meaningful evidence to the growing literature suggesting that sleep duration directly impacts cardiovascular health."
Similarly, Walia underscored the significance of establishing a relaxing bedtime routine to encourage better sleep.
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Enrichment Data:- The researchers strictly controlled diet, physical activity, and sleep environment throughout the study to isolate the impact of sleep itself.- The study findings are consistent with previous research showing that chronic poor sleep poses cardiovascular risks. This new research, however, focuses on the acute effects of short-term sleep deprivation on physiological factors.- Poor sleep quantity and quality can lead to increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, as well as an enhanced risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and atrial fibrillation.
- The researchers at Uppsala University discovered that several biomarkers indicative of inflammation and heart health increased after just three consecutive nights of suboptimal sleep.
- Experts have warned of the potential consequences of forgoing recommended sleep, including exacerbated mental health issues and accelerated brain aging.
- The study analyzed 88 proteins linked to cardiovascular conditions like leptin, lipoprotein lipase, and galectin-9.
- The findings from this study suggest that even young, healthy men are vulnerable to negative biological changes with just a few nights of subpar sleep.
- Poor sleep has been linked to numerous health factors, including cardiovascular health, endocrine function, and immune response.
- To maintain optimal sleep quality, Chen recommends a consistent sleep schedule, practising good sleep hygiene free of caffeine and electronic devices, exercising regularly, and following a balanced diet.
- The study results are consistent with previous research showing that chronic poor sleep poses cardiovascular risks, but this new research focuses on the acute effects of short-term sleep deprivation on physiological factors.
