new study from Uppsala University reveals that even a few nights of poor sleep can trigger changes in the body that increase the risk of heart disease.
Published in the journal Biomarker Research, the study found that sleep deprivation raises the levels of proteins linked to inflammation, which is associated with heart conditions like heart attacks and strokes.
Nearly half of all Swedes regularly experience disturbed sleep, and shift workers are particularly affected. Understanding how lack of sleep contributes to heart disease is crucial, and the study aimed to identify the molecular mechanisms behind this connection.
Study Details: How Lack of Sleep Affects the Body
The study focused on 16 healthy young men with normal sleep habits. Over two sessions, participants followed controlled diets and activity levels in a sleep laboratory.
In one session, they slept for a normal duration, while in the other, they only slept for about four hours each night. Researchers took blood samples before and after the participants performed 30 minutes of high-intensity exercise during both sessions.
Findings: Sleep Deprivation Increases Inflammatory Proteins
The researchers measured the levels of 90 proteins linked to inflammation in the blood. They discovered that sleep deprivation significantly increased the levels of several of these proteins. Many of these proteins are known to be associated with heart disease, such as coronary artery disease and heart failure.
Jonathan Cedernaes, the study leader, noted that while previous studies focused on older adults with existing heart risks, the findings in healthy young participants after just a few nights of sleep deprivation emphasize the importance of sleep for cardiovascular health at an early age.
Exercise and Sleep Deprivation: Mixed Effects on Heart Health
The study also looked at how sleep deprivation affects the body’s response to exercise.
Some proteins linked to exercise benefits increased even when the participants were sleep-deprived. However, the researchers pointed out that sleep deprivation can increase stress on the heart, suggesting that exercise can’t completely counteract the negative effects of poor sleep.
Conclusion
This study improves our understanding of how sleep influences heart health. While exercise can help reduce some of the harmful effects of sleep deprivation, it cannot replace the vital functions of sleep.
Researchers are continuing their studies to explore how these effects may differ across different groups, such as women, older individuals, and those with heart disease. The goal is to develop better guidelines to prevent heart disease by balancing sleep, exercise, and other lifestyle factors.
