Sleep and Circadian Disturbance in Cardiovascular Risk

Curr Cardiol Rep. 2022 Dec;24(12):2097-2107. doi: 10.1007/s11886-022-01816-z. Epub 2022 Nov 3.

Abstract

Purpose of review: We discuss the relationship between sleep and circadian factors with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, including physiologic, behavioral, and psychological mechanisms along this pathway.

Recent findings: The relationship between short and long sleep duration, as well as insomnia, with CVD risk is well-established. Recent work has highlighted how other sleep factors, such as sleep regularity (i.e., consistency of sleep timing), multidimensional sleep health, and circadian factors like chronotype and social jetlag, relate to CVD risk. Sleep-focused interventions (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and sleep extension) may be effective to reduce CVD risk and disease burden. Sleep is increasingly recognized as an integral component of cardiovascular health. This was underscored by the recent inclusion of sleep duration as a health behavior in the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 for defining optimal cardiovascular health.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease prevention; Cardiovascular health; Circadian rhythms; Health behaviors; Psychological; Sleep.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / etiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / prevention & control
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology
  • Heart Disease Risk Factors
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors
  • Sleep / physiology
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders* / complications
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders* / therapy