Study Links Sleep Duration with Biological Aging and Cardiovascular Disease

Recommended Sleep Duration

The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults aged 18 to 64 aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night. However, a significant number of individuals frequently fall short of this guideline. Sleep deprivation can occur due to various factors, including insomnia, hectic schedules, and anxiety.

Consequences of Sleep Deprivation

The effects of insufficient sleep can manifest as daytime fatigue, forgetfulness, lack of motivation, mood swings, irritability, and increased appetite. Moreover, chronic sleep deprivation can adversely impact health by compromising the immune system, disrupting hormone production, and heightening the risk of respiratory diseases.

Research Overview

Recent studies have explored the connection between sleep deprivation, biological aging, and cardiovascular disease. Biological age can be assessed by the length of telomeres, which are the protective ends of chromosomes that shorten with age. Key risk factors for cardiovascular disease include high body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. A recent study published in *Communications Biology* investigated these relationships.

Study Participants and Methodology

The study involved 482 Singaporean participants, aged 21 to 69, with an average age of 46. Participants wore Fitbit Charge HR activity trackers to monitor their average sleep duration throughout the study. Researchers assessed telomere length and evaluated participants for cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Findings of the Study

The average sleep duration recorded for participants was six hours and 28 minutes. Notably, seven percent of participants reported sleeping less than five hours per night. This group was found to be twice as likely to have shorter telomeres compared to those who achieved seven or more hours of sleep. Additionally, individuals sleeping fewer than five hours exhibited a higher average BMI and waist circumference.

Implications and Future Research

The findings suggest that chronic sleep deprivation may contribute to adverse health outcomes, including accelerated biological aging and increased cardiovascular disease risk. Further research is necessary to establish whether this relationship is causal. The use of Fitbit Charge HR devices in this study indicates potential benefits for future research on sleep patterns and energy expenditure.

References

Davis, K. (2018, January 25). Sleep deprivation: Causes, symptoms, and treatment. Retrieved November 11, 2019, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/307334.php#effects.
Teo, J. X., Davila, S., & Yang, C., et al. (2019). Digital phenotyping by consumer wearables identifies sleep-associated markers of cardiovascular disease risk and biological aging. *Communications Biology*, 2(361). doi: 10.1038/s42003-019-0605-1
Wearable tracker study links insufficient sleep to biological aging and cardiovascular disease risk. (2019, November 11). Retrieved November 11, 2019, from https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-11/s-wts111119.php.