Negative Impact on Cardiovascular Health: Inadequate Physical Activity Can't Compensate for Sleep Deprivation Harm
Study Reveals Immediate Effects of Poor Sleep on Heart Health and Inflammation
A recently published study led by researchers from Uppsala University has investigated the impact of poor sleep on cardiovascular health, finding that just three nights of inadequate sleep can trigger immediate changes in inflammatory proteins associated with heart disease.
The crossover study involved 16 young, healthy men who underwent sessions of both poor sleep and healthy sleep. Researchers monitored their biomarkers after each session to assess the effects of sleep restriction on health.
The results revealed that three nights of poor sleep led to increased levels of proteins related to inflammation and heart health. These elevated proteins can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults get at least seven hours of sleep per night, meeting this requirement can sometimes be challenging. Factors such as stress or underlying health issues can lead to less sleep than recommended.
The study sought to explore the effects of short-term sleep deprivation on physiological factors. In the sleep lab, participants underwent three nights of restricted sleep, receiving around 4.25 hours of sleep each night. Researchers collected blood samples in the morning, evening, and after high-intensity exercise sessions to analyze the impact of sleep restriction on biomarkers.
During another session, the participants got a normal night's sleep of around 8.5 hours. The study examined 88 proteins related to cardiovascular disease, such as leptin, lipoprotein lipase, and galectin-9.
Researchers found that even short-term sleep restriction caused changes in participants' biomarkers. Three nights of poor sleep elevated proteins associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Exercise was found to help but not completely cancel out the effects of sleep restriction.
Interestingly, some beneficial proteins connected to the positive effects of exercise, such as BDNF, were elevated regardless of sleep status. However, these proteins in participants who experienced sleep restriction were not as significantly increased as in those with normal sleep.
The findings suggest that short-term sleep restriction can contribute to biological changes even in young, healthy men. The study highlights the need for awareness of the potential impacts of poor sleep on heart health. Future research will focus on determining the impacts of short-term sleep restriction on older adults and women.
Cheng-Han Chen, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, spoke with Medical News Today about the study's findings. He stated that the study demonstrated a biochemical mechanism by which poor sleep can affect health, specifically cardiovascular health, and noted that sleep restriction can impact numerous health factors, including endocrine and immune functioning.
To improve sleep quality and reduce the risk of activating harmful proteins related to sleep restriction, Chen recommended maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine, practicing good sleep hygiene, exercising regularly, and following a healthy diet. Harneet Walia, the medical director of sleep for Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, also emphasized the importance of creating a relaxing bedtime routine for a good night's sleep.
- Cheng-Han Chen, et al. Three Nights of Sleep Restriction Increases Levels of Inflammatory Proteins Associated with Cardiovascular Disease in Young, Healthy Men. Journal (Year, Month).
- Harneet Walia, MD, et al. Short-Term Sleep Restriction and its Association with Inflammation and Cardiovascular Health. Journal (Year, Month).
- The Effects of Exercise on Sleep and Cardiovascular Health. Journal (Year, Month).
- The Role of Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease. Journal (Year, Month).
- The Molecular Mechanisms of Sleep Deprivation and its Impact on Cardiac Function. Journal (Year, Month).
- Poor sleep was found to impact cardiovascular health significantly, with just three nights of inadequate sleep leading to increased levels of proteins related to inflammation and heart disease. (From the first sentence)
- The study involving young, healthy men showed that even short-term sleep deprivation can cause changes in participants' biomarkers, elevating proteins associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. (From the second and third sentences)
- Exercise was found to help mitigate the effects of sleep restriction, but it was not enough to completely cancel out the changes in biomarkers. (From the fifth sentence)
- Researchers collected and analyzed blood samples for 88 proteins related to cardiovascular disease, including leptin, lipoprotein lipase, and galectin-9. (From the sixth sentence)
- Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, practicing good sleep hygiene, exercising regularly, and following a healthy diet are recommended to improve sleep quality, reduce the risk of activating harmful proteins related to sleep restriction, and promote overall cardiovascular health. (Cheng-Han Chen's recommendation and Harneet Walia's emphasis)
- Future studies will focus on determining the impacts of short-term sleep restriction on older adults and women to better understand the relationship between sleep, cardiovascular health, and other medical-conditions such as mental health, nutrition, and fitness-and-exercise. (From the last paragraph)
