Sleep irregularity linked to subclinical markers of cardiovascular disease

Summary: The study examined the association between sleep irregularity and subclinical markers of cardiovascular disease in a population of over 2000 participants with a mean age of 68. The participants completed 7-day wrist actigraphy that detected when they were asleep and awake. The results showed that sleep irregularity, particularly sleep duration irregularity, was associated with subclinical atherosclerosis, including high coronary artery calcium burden and abnormal ankle-brachial index. These associations persisted even after adjusting for cardiovascular disease risk factors and other sleep characteristics such as obstructive sleep apnea, sleep duration, and sleep fragmentation. While it is important to note that observational studies like this one cannot establish causation and may be subject to residual confounding, the findings suggest that promoting regular sleep schedules could be an essential aspect of lifestyle recommendations for preventing cardiovascular disease.

Article: Sleep Irregularity and Subclinical Markers of Cardiovascular Disease: The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis – Journal of the American Heart Association

News Release: Irregular sleeping habits may increase risk of atherosclerosis in older adults – American Heart Association

Commentaries:

Study finds chronically disrupted sleep may increase the risk for heart disease – Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Sleep Irregularity Linked to Measures of Subclinical Atherosclerosis – HealthDay

Irregular sleep may be harmful to your heart, study finds – CNN