Nov 29, 2024 23:00:00

Long but irregular sleep patterns increase risk of heart attack and stroke

So far, several research results have been reported linking sleep duration with health conditions, such as

a lower risk of heart disease in people who sleep longer . A new study focusing on 'sleep regularity' suggests the possibility that 'irregular sleep may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, even if the sleep duration is long.'

Sleep regularity and major adverse cardiovascular events: a device-based prospective study in 72 269 UK adults | Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health
https://jech.bmj.com/content/early/2024/10/30/jech-2024-222795

Irregular sleep-wake cycle linked to gastrointestinal risk of major cardiovascular events - BMJ Group
https://bmjgroup.com/irregular-sleep-wake-cycle-linked-to-heightened-risk-of-major-cardiovascular-events/

Irregular sleep pattern raises risk of stroke and heart attack, study finds | Health | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/nov/26/irregular-sleep-pattern-raises-risk-of-stroke-and-heart-attack-uk-study-finds

Research linking sleep and health has tended to focus on 'sleep duration,' and many studies have relied on self-reported sleep duration. An international research team consisting of researchers from Canada and Australia analyzed the relationship between sleep regularity and the risk of heart attack and stroke using a method that 'evaluates sleep regularity from movements by wearing accelerometers on the subjects' wrists.'

The subjects were 72,269 adults registered with UK Biobank . Data from them wearing the Axivity AX3 accelerometer on their wrists for seven days was used in the analysis, as well as data tracking the occurrence of multiple adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke over an eight-year period.

The research team calculated the sleep regularity index (SRI) based on the accelerometer data of 'bedtime,' 'wake-up time,' 'sleep duration,' and 'number of awakenings during sleep.' As a result, it became clear that people with higher sleep regularity had a lower risk of developing MACE.

Furthermore, the study classified subjects into three groups: those with a sleep regularity index of 87.3 or higher (regular sleep group), those with a sleep regularity index of 71.6 to 87.3 (moderately irregular sleep group), and those with a sleep regularity index of less than 71.6 (irregular sleep group). The results showed that the moderately irregular sleep group was able to offset the risk of developing MACE by increasing their sleep hours, but the irregular sleep group had a higher risk of developing MACE even if they slept longer.

Based on their findings, the research team concluded: 'Our findings suggest that sleep regularity may have a potential impact on cardiovascular health. Therefore, more attention should be paid to sleep regularity in public health guidelines and clinical practice.'