Irregular Sleep Doubles Risk of Heart Failure Complications,Study Finds
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Portland,OR – August 23,2024 – For individuals battling heart failure,a consistent sleep schedule may be as crucial as medication and diet. New research from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) reveals that even moderate irregularity in sleep patterns more than doubles the risk of experiencing another heart failure-related clinical event – such as emergency room visits, hospitalization, or even death – within six months of hospital discharge.
The study,published August 21st in the prestigious journal JACC Advances,underscores the often-overlooked connection between sleep and cardiovascular health. It adds compelling evidence to a growing body of research highlighting the importance of prioritizing consistent sleep timing, particularly for vulnerable populations.
The Link Between Sleep and a Failing Heart
“Going to bed and waking up at consistent times is vital for overall health,” explains Dr. Brooke Shafer, lead author of the study and a research assistant professor in the Sleep, Chronobiology and Health Laboratory at the OHSU School of nursing.”Our study suggests that consistency in sleep timing may be especially important for adults with heart failure.”
The research team meticulously tracked the sleep habits of 32 patients hospitalized for acutely decompensated heart failure at OHSU Hospital and Hillsboro Medical Center between September 2022 and october 2023. Participants used sleep diaries to record thier bedtime, wake-up time, and any daytime naps for one week following their discharge.
Based on these recordings,participants were categorized as either “regular sleepers” or “moderately irregular sleepers.” The results were striking:
“Of the 21 participants who experienced a clinical event within six months, 13 were classified as moderately irregular sleepers, compared to only eight with a regular sleep schedule.”
This translates to a statistically meaningful finding: irregular sleepers faced more than double the risk of a heart failure-related event during the study period. Importantly, this increased risk persisted even after researchers accounted for other potential contributing factors like pre-existing sleep disorders and other underlying medical conditions.
Why Does Sleep Regularity Matter?
The researchers theorize that inconsistent sleep timing disrupts the body’s natural cardiovascular regulation processes.
“When we’re asleep and in a resting state, our blood pressure and heart rate decrease compared with daytime levels,” Dr. Shafer explains.”But variability in sleep timing may disrupt mechanisms involved in the regulation of the cardiovascular system. Irregular sleep may contribute to adverse outcomes, especially for people already affected by heart failure.”
This disruption can place additional strain on an already weakened heart, increasing the likelihood of complications.
A Low-Cost Intervention with High Potential
The study’s findings suggest a possibly transformative, and remarkably accessible, therapeutic approach.
As the authors conclude, improving sleep regularity may be a low-cost therapeutic approach to mitigate adverse events in adults with heart failure.
This is particularly significant given the frequently enough-complex and expensive nature of heart failure treatment.
dr. shafer acknowledges that further research is needed. “The next step would be to scale up the research to a larger cohort of participants and see whether improving sleep regularity lowers the risk of another clinical event,” she says.
Looking Ahead
This study represents a crucial step forward in understanding the intricate relationship between sleep and heart health. It reinforces the importance of prioritizing sleep hygiene - establishing a consistent bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends – as a vital component of heart failure management.
Study Authors: In addition to Dr. Shafer, the research team included Shirin Hiatt, M.P.H., RN, sophia Kogan, B.S.N., RN, Nathan dieckmann, Ph.D., Christopher Chien, M.D., Quin Denfeld, Ph.D., RN, and Andrew McHill, Ph.D., all of OHSU; and Christopher Lee, Ph.D., RN, of Boston College.
Funding: The study was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and blood Institute (T32HL083808); the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (K12AR084221); and the National Institute of Nursing Research (R01NR019054), all of the National Institutes of Health.
Table: Study Findings - Sleep Regularity and Clinical Events
| Sleep Pattern | Number of participants | Number Experiencing Clinical Event (within 6 months) |
|————————|————————|——————————————————-|
| Regular Sleepers | 8 | 8 |
| Moderately Irregular Sleepers | 13 | 13 |
