Sleepless nights for three consecutive days may pose potential risks to heart health.
Report: Short-term Sleep Deprivation Increases Heart Disease Risk Due to Elevated Inflammation Levels
Sleep, an essential component of overall health, remains elusive for many. A recent study conducted by researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden reveals that even three consecutive nights of insufficient sleep can significantly boost inflammation levels in the blood, potentially raising the risk for heart disease. This concern is further heightened by the observation that these changes are even detected in healthy young individuals.
The effects of sleep deprivation on the human body have been a subject of interest for researchers for quite some time. The latest findings, published in the journal "Biomarker Research," offer fresh insights into the short-term consequences of insufficient sleep on heart health in young, otherwise healthy adults.
In the study, 16 healthy young men were monitored while they followed two different sleep routines. The first routine consisted of normal sleep (8.5 hours), while the second involved restricted sleep (4.25 hours). Following each sleep phase, the participants underwent a brief, intense cycling workout, and their blood was tested before and after each exercise.
The results showed that sleep deprivation led to a significant increase in inflammation proteins in the blood. Inflammation proteins are molecules produced by the body in response to stress or illness. If these elevated levels persist over an extended period, they can potentially damage blood vessels and increase the risk of various cardiovascular problems, including heart failure, coronary heart disease, and atrial fibrillation. Interestingly, exercise usually stimulates the production of heart and brain-supportive proteins, but this was found to be significantly reduced after insufficient sleep.
"Given the rapid impact of sleep deprivation on inflammation levels, even in young, healthy adults, this is concerning, particularly considering how frequently adults suffer from poor sleep," said Dr. Annie Curtis from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).
In Germany, nearly 6 in 100 people experience sleep disorders. Various factors can contribute to sleep problems, such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, medications, shift work, personality traits, or hereditary predisposition. Sleep disorders are more than just a nuisance – they can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, or heart failure. Additionally, poor sleep can potentially lead to mental illnesses, particularly depression.
To tackle sleep problems and mitigate associated risks, experts recommend seeking medical help if issues persist and identifying the underlying cause. Improving sleep hygiene, such as establishing regular sleep times and avoiding caffeine or heavy meals in the evening, may also provide benefit. Anxiety about sleeping can exacerbate the problem, so it's crucial not to overthink sleep-related matters.
Sources: ntv.de, hny
- Health
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Sleep
- Sleep Disorders
- Sweden
- The short-term consequences of insufficient sleep on heart health in young, otherwise healthy adults have been studied, revealing that even three consecutive nights of poor sleep can boost inflammation levels, which may increase the risk for cardiovascular diseases.
- Interestingly, exercise usually stimulates the production of heart-supportive proteins, but this is significantly reduced after insufficient sleep, reinforcing the importance of maintaining a healthy sleep routine.
- In an attempt to tackle sleep problems and mitigate associated risks, experts recommend seeking medical help if issues persist and identifying the underlying cause, as well as improving sleep hygiene practices such as establishing regular sleep times and avoiding caffeine or heavy meals in the evening.
- Various factors can contribute to sleep problems, and these can heighten the risk of cardiovascular diseases and mental illnesses, thereby emphasizing the need for a community policy that promotes vocational training in health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, and chronic-diseases to educate and address these issues effectively.
