Consequences of Circadian Disruption on Cardiometabolic Health

Sleep Med Clin. 2015 Dec;10(4):455-68. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2015.07.005. Epub 2015 Sep 15.

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity are highly prevalent diseases associated with reduced quality of life and life expectancy. We discuss a novel risk factor for these cardiometabolic diseases: circadian disruption. Circadian disruption occurs when the internal circadian (∼24-hour) rhythms are not in synchrony with the environment or each other. This paper reviews (1) cardiometabolic health of shift work, which often leads to circadian disruption, (2) effects of experimentally disrupted circadian rhythms on cardiometabolic function, (3) observational studies of sleep timing and behavioral chronotype, and (4) potential mediators linking chronotype and shift work to circadian disruption and cardiometabolic health.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Circadian rhythms; Diabetes; Shift work.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
  • Humans