Sleep Deprivation and Cardiovascular Risks

It has been well demonstrated that we need around 8 hours of sleep per night. The quality and duration of sleep are crucial. Inadequate sleep, or sleep deprivation, poses numerous health risks. Both short- and long-term sleep deprivation are associated with adverse effects on the cardiovascular system. A growing body of evidence shows that inadequate sleep is a risk factor for obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and stroke.

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is comprised of the sympathetic (“fight-or-flight”) and parasympathetic systems. The former is responsible for heart rate and blood pressure increases, while the latter tends to have the opposite effects. Signs of a healthy ANS include normal heart rate recovery after exercise and heart rate variability. Both are adversely affected by sleep deprivation. Autonomic dysfunction may lead to chronic heart rate and blood pressure elevations, and these changes are associated with increased cardiovascular risk.  

Night shift workers often have disrupted, shortened sleep. Studies have shown an association between night shift work and cardiovascular disease, including an increase in the incidence of myocardial infarction. In addition, recovery after ischemic cardiac events is worsened by sleep deprivation. 

Sleep decrease activates the sympathetic nervous system and induces inflammation. Inflammation disrupts the function of the vascular endothelium, which contributes to cardiovascular disease. 

Even short-term inadequate sleep has adverse effects on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, predisposing to type 2 diabetes. Sleep deprivation decreases leptin, which decreases satiety with meals, and increases Ghrelin activity, which increases appetite. This increases the risk of diabetes, a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. Sleep deprivation also contributes to increased LDL and decreased HDL cholesterol levels, leading to elevated cardiovascular risk.

In summary, sleep deprivation promotes cardiovascular disease by predisposing to hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes, decreased heart rate variability, and Dyslipidemia.

Prioritizing sleep is essential to optimizing our cardiovascular health!

Note: Although I am a physician, the content in this article is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent illness or disease in the reader – it is for educational purposes only.

References

1. Liu H, Chen A. Roles of sleep deprivation in cardiovascular dysfunctions. Life Sciences 2019;219:231-37.
2. Liew S, Aung T. Sleep deprivation and its association with diseases – a review. Sleep Med 2021;77:192-204.
3. Miller MA, Cappuccio. Biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in sleep-deprived people. J Human Hypertension 2013;27:583-88.