Impact of Broken Sleep on Cardiovascular Health

Research Overview

Researchers at UC Berkeley explored the effects of broken sleep on cardiovascular health, particularly its role in the hardening of arteries. Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death in the United States, contributing to approximately 12,000 fatalities weekly. A primary cause of this disease is atherosclerosis, characterized by a build-up of fatty plaques in the arteries, which can damage vital organs, including the heart and brain. Established risk factors include smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity, poor dietary habits, and high blood pressure. Recent studies suggest that poor sleep quality may also contribute to cardiovascular risks.

Study Findings in PLOS Biology

The study utilized data from the US Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, analyzing over 1,600 middle-aged and older adults to develop a statistical model. Researchers focused on the impact of sleep quality on heart health while controlling for other cardiovascular risk factors such as age, gender, smoking, and blood pressure. Participants wore wrist monitors at home for a week and underwent sleep monitoring in a laboratory setting to evaluate their sleep quality.

The findings revealed that disrupted sleep patterns correlated with increased levels of inflammatory white blood cells, specifically monocytes and neutrophils, which are crucial in developing atherosclerotic plaques.

Connection between Inflammation and Atherosclerosis

Inflammatory Response

The study’s results indicate that broken sleep elevates the levels of circulating inflammatory white blood cells, thus heightening the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. These findings align with previous laboratory research on mice, which demonstrated that experimentally induced broken sleep resulted in increased inflammatory white blood cells and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

Professor Matthew Walker, the study’s senior author, noted, “In revealing this link with chronic inflammation, the findings suggest a missing middleman that is brokering the bad deal between fragmented sleep and the hardening of blood vessels.”

Importance of Quality Sleep

The researchers emphasized that obtaining quality sleep could be as vital to cardiovascular health as managing blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and increasing physical activity. Vyoma Shah, co-lead author of the study, remarked, “If you track your sleep patterns using objective measures, the same way you track your weight, blood pressure, or cholesterol, you can make modifications to your sleep habits, which could make a tangible difference to later life health outcomes.”

To enhance sleep quality, experts recommend sticking to a regular sleep schedule and avoiding digital devices, such as phones, at least an hour before bedtime.

Future Research Directions

The researchers propose that broken sleep may also be associated with other conditions where inflammation is a potential underlying cause, including major depression and Alzheimer’s disease. These areas are suggested for future investigation.

References

1. Vallat R, Shah VD, Redline S, et al. Broken sleep predicts hardened blood vessels. PLOS Biology, Published online June 4, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000726
2. University of California – Berkeley. Press release June 5, 2020. “Fitful nightly sleep linked to chronic inflammation, hardened arteries.” https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-06/uoc–fns060520.php

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