The link between sleep problems and heart disease

Understanding the relationship between sleep and cardiovascular risk: Studies using self-report and objective sleep measures

BHF Professor Andrew Steptoe and Professor Mika Kivimaki from University College London are trying to understand the link between sleep problems and the risk of heart disease. There is an association between these, but it is not known whether sleep problems put someone at risk of heart disease, or whether someone with heart disease is more likely to have sleep problems. To try to answer this, the researchers will analyse information from large studies of the UK population involving more than 20,000 people. These participants have been followed for almost 30 years, obtaining lots of information about their health over time. They will look at whether people who reported sleep problems had other changes occurring that may be a risk factor for heart and circulatory disease, such as changes in inflammation, metabolism or oxygen transport around the body. Sleep problems are not only distressing but they may also have disease consequences. By uncovering whether sleep disorders really do contribute to the development of heart or circulatory disease, knowing more about the underlying process will help preventative measures to be developed.