Why we should pay closer attention to how sleep affects heart health

• The American Heart Association (AHA) recently released a scientific statement urging a more thorough exploration of how sleep and cardiometabolic health are intertwined. 

• The AHA is concerned about how factors beyond a set number of sleep hours impact heart and metabolic health.

• The AHA noted that factors such as sleep quality, timing, continuity, and demographic factors need to be addressed. 

Getting enough sleep can be hard, especially when faced with life stressors, but it is important not only for physical health but mental health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that adults get at least 7 hours of sleep per night, but the AHA believes the scientific community needs to look beyond this.

In a new scientific statement, the American Heart Association (AHA) now outlines several areas researchers need to explore.

The scientific letter appears in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

Looking beyond 7 to 9 hours of sleep

A bad night’s sleep can happen to anyone, but when it happens regularly, insomnia or another sleep disorder such as sleep apnea may be the culprit.

Poor sleep can cause people to miss out on some of the benefits of good sleep:

• blood vessel repair

• improved immune system

• improved memory

• reduction of obesity risk.

The AHA includes “healthy sleep” as one of their Life’s Essential 8 measures for “improving and maintaining cardiovascular health.” Other focuses include managing weight and being more active. 

While the AHA includes healthy sleep, it only addresses a timeframe people should aim for, which the organization thinks should be expanded upon.

Among other examples, the authors cited a review of 336 studies that found associations they believe should be focused on through a multidimensional approach to sleep health. They want to see how these different dimensions impact cardiometabolic health.

This includes studying “sleep duration, continuity, timing, regularity, sleep-related daytime functioning, architecture, and absence of sleep disorders.”

How do sleep quality and duration affect cardiometabolic health?

The authors of the AHA statement said researchers and providers need to look at sleep health from a more multifaceted perspective.

One key aspect they noted is how often one wakes up at night after falling asleep. Waking up frequently through the night could indicate a physical issue, such as indigestion or bladder dysfunction. 

The authors also encourage looking at how one’s sleep habits match up with the body’s circadian rhythms. This occurs over a 24-hour cycle and can influence sleep habits and energy levels.

If someone’s circadian rhythm is disrupted, this could lead to poor sleep and daytime sleepiness. Environmental factors such as light or using screens before bedtime can disrupt the circadian rhythm.

Another point the authors say is important is both how well-rested one feels after waking up and their alertness throughout the day. Sleep satisfaction, the regularity of sleep, and how someone feels about their daytime functioning help provide a more thorough look at sleep health.

Multidimensional sleep health approach

One dimension the AHA recommends delving deeper into involves demographic factors such as biological sex, race, and geographic location. The authors also point out that socioeconomic status (SES) can factor into sleep health.

“Disparities in multidimensional sleep health also exist by socioeconomic position, including income, education, work status and position, and financial assets,” write the authors.

The authors noted that these people often reside in underserved areas and are likely to face discrimination which can contribute to sleep health disparities.

People in a lower SES bracket are also at a higher risk of environmental factors affecting sleep such as noise and air pollution.

The authors say that taking a multidimensional sleep health approach can both improve sleep and overall health. Sleep can influence both cardiovascular and metabolic health, which is why figuring out how this is all intertwined is so important.

Prioritize looking after different aspects of sleep hygiene

Christopher Berg, MD, a board-certified cardiologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center, spoke with Medical News Today about the statement.

“The new AHA statement moves beyond the idea that ‘more sleep is better’ and introduces a more comprehensive view of what constitutes healthy sleep,” Berg commented.

Berg said the AHA’s statement emphasizes the importance of focusing on aspects of improving sleep beyond pharmaceutical solutions.

“Improving sleep quality, timing, and regularity through behavioral strategies or environmental changes can enhance the effectiveness of existing therapies and may reduce the need for additional medications,” noted Berg.

Augusto Cesar Ferriera De Moraes, PhD, assistant professor of epidemiology at UTHealth Houston, not involved in the review, also spoke with MNT about its recommendations.

“Multidimensional sleep health should be prioritized in clinical settings,” said De Moraes. “By addressing these components, healthcare providers can better identify and manage risks associated with poor sleep, leading to more comprehensive patient care.”

De Moraes also made some recommendations for people who want to improve sleep quality, including:

• maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends

• creating a comfortable sleep environment — cool, dark, and quiet

• limiting exposure to screens and bright lights before bedtime

• engaging in regular physical activity but not too close to bedtime.

“Implementing these practices can enhance sleep quality, thereby supporting better heart and metabolic health,” De Moraes advised.

View the original article on Medical News Today