Sleep Duration, Disorders Linked to Higher Cardiometabolic Risk

Too much or too little sleep, as well as some sleep disorders, may increase the risk of cardiometabolic conditions, according to a new statement from the American Heart Association (AHA).1

Representatives from AHA Obesity, Behavior Change, Diabetes, and Nutrition Committees of the Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health; Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young; Council on Clinical Cardiology; and Stroke Council wrote the statement as a call for health organizations to include evidence-based sleep recommendations in their guidelines for optimal health.

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he panel of researchers reviewed epidemiologic and clinical evidence that associated sleep duration and sleep disorders with cardiometabolic risk—including obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

After analyzing the evidence, the panel found that sleeping less than 7 hours per night or more than 9 hours per night can lead to adverse cardiometabolic risk profiles and outcomes.

Some studies showed that sleep influences food intake and could, therefore, increase obesity risk.

In addition, sleep-disordered breathing and insomnia also increase cardiometabolic risk, but treating these sleep disorders may provide clinical benefits, particularly for blood pressure.

“Patients need to be aware that adequate sleep is important, just as being physically active and eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and fish are important for cardiovascular health,” the lead researcher concluded.

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

  1. ST-Onge M-P, Grandner MA, Brown D, et al. Sleep duration and quality: impact on lifestyle behaviors and cardiometabolic health: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association [published online September 19, 2016]. Circulation. http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000444.
  2. Sleep disorders may influence heart disease risk factors: American Heart Association scientific statement [news release]. Dallas, TX: American Heart Association; September 19, 2016. http://newsroom.heart.org/news/sleep-disorders-may-influence-heart-disease-risk-factors?preview=ee87. Accessed September 20, 2016.