New Research Links Disrupted Body Clocks to Rising Cardiovascular Disease Rates
Mounting evidence reveals a critical connection between disruptions to the bodyS natural 24-hour rhythms – the circadian system – and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. A growing body of research, including studies published in Nature Reviews Cardiology (Crnko et al., 2019) and JAMA (SLEEP I, 2011), demonstrates that misalignment between internal biological time and external cues like light and meal times can considerably impact heart health. This emerging understanding has profound implications for millions, particularly those working irregular shifts, experiencing sleep disorders, or living with metabolic syndrome.
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, and these findings suggest that addressing circadian disruption could be a crucial, yet often overlooked, component of prevention and treatment. The interplay between circadian rhythms, metabolic health, and cardiovascular function is complex, but increasingly clear: a disrupted internal clock can lead to impaired glucose tolerance (Morris et al., 2016), age-dependent cardiovascular issues (Alibhai et al., 2017), and potentially exacerbate existing conditions. Understanding these associations is vital for developing targeted interventions to mitigate risk and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers have identified that the molecular clock plays a important role in cardiovascular biology (martino & Sole, 2009). Disruptions to the key circadian regulator,CLOCK,have been shown to lead to cardiovascular disease in age-dependent patterns (Alibhai et al.,2017). Furthermore, chronic shift work, a known source of circadian misalignment, is linked to impaired glucose tolerance (Morris et al., 2016).the connection extends to other health factors. A cross-sectional study published in Nutrients (Arabi et al.,2024) explored the association between serum vitamin D status and circadian syndrome,suggesting a potential link between nutritional deficiencies and circadian disruption.Vitamin D insufficiency is a prevalent issue, as highlighted by a systematic review in J public Health Res (Badawi et al., 2012).
Beyond physiological factors, mental health also appears to play a role.Research indicates an association between depression, body mass index, metabolic disease, and lifestyle factors (hidese et al., 2018). The stigma surrounding mental illness, as measured by the internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale, can further complicate health outcomes (Boyd et al., 2014). Public health concerns related to sleep disorders have also been emphasized (SLEEP I, 2011).
References
Alibhai FJ, LaMarre J, Reitz CJ, et al. Disrupting the key circadian regulator CLOCK leads to age-dependent cardiovascular disease. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2017;105:24-37. doi:10.1016/j.yjmcc.2017.01.008
Arabi AA-O, Nasrallah D, Mohsen S, et al. Association between serum vitamin D status and circadian syndrome: a cross-sectional study. Nutrients.2024;16(13):2111.doi:10.3390/nu16132111
Badawi A,Arora P,Sadoun E,Al-Thani AA,Thani MH. Prevalence of vitamin d insufficiency in Qatar: a systematic review. J Public Health res. 2012;1(3). [(2279-9028 (Print))]. doi:10.4081/jphr.2012.e36
Boyd JE, Adler EP, Otilingam PG, Peters T.Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale: a multinational review. Compr Psychiatry. 2014;55:221-31. (1532-8384 (Electronic))
Crnko S, Du Pré BC, Sluijter JPG, Van Laake LW. Circadian rhythms and the molecular clock in cardiovascular biology and disease. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2019;16(7):437-447. doi:10
