Sleep and Cardio-Metabolic Disease

Curr Cardiol Rep. 2017 Sep 19;19(11):110. doi: 10.1007/s11886-017-0916-0.

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review summarises and discusses the epidemiological evidence suggesting a causal relationship between sleep duration and cardio-metabolic risk and outcomes in population.

Recent findings: Sleep duration is affected by a variety of cultural, social, psychological, behavioural, pathophysiological and environmental influences. Changes in modern society-like longer working hours, more shift-work, 24/7 availability of commodities and 24-h global connectivity-have been associated with a gradual reduction in sleep duration and sleeping patterns across westernised populations. We review the evidence of an association between sleep disturbances and the development of cardio-metabolic risk and disease and discuss the implications for causality of these associations. Prolonged curtailment of sleep duration is a risk factor for the development of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and stroke and may contribute, in the long-term, to premature death.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Diabetes; Hypertension; Naps; Obesity; Sleep deprivation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes Mellitus / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / etiology*
  • Obesity / etiology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sleep / physiology
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / complications*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / physiopathology
  • Time Factors