Atherosclerosis strongly contributes to the occurrence of cardiovascular accidents, 80% of sudden deaths would be linked to the rupture of an atheroma plaque according to INSERM. For researchers, it is essential to understand how these plaques form, and how they can rupture or clog the artery to cause cardiovascular disease. A recent study suggests that irregular sleep might promote atherosclerosis. Explanations.
From atherosclerosis to cardiovascular accident
Atherosclerosis is the deposition of atheroma plaques on the walls of the arteries (plaques which are essentially made up of fat), inducing changes in the caliber of the vessels, but also on the very structure of the wall of the blood vessels. It’s regarding a major cardiovascular risk factorbecause atherosclerotic plaques can cause an artery to become blocked or rupture, both of which can lead to major, potentially fatal cardiovascular events.
With age, all adults develop atherosclerotic plaques, but the atherosclerosis is more or less strong depending on the way of life. It is accentuated in the event of a sedentary lifestyle, smoking or in the presence of certain other cardiovascular risk factors, such as lipid disorders, obesity or arterial hypertension. Limiting the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and their evolution is essential to limit the risk of cardiovascular accidents, cardiovascular mortality being the second leading cause of death in France.
Sleep involved in atherosclerosis?
In this context, researchers have taken a close interest the role of sleep in the phenomenon of atherosclerosis. Previous studies have indeed suggested a link between irregular sleep and the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Recently, researchers conducted a multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis taking into account sleep duration and sleep regularity. A total of 2,032 participants were included in this study, with an average age of 68.6 years. Their sleep was monitored by actimetry over a period of 7 days.
To know ! Actimetry consists of recording body movements over several days using a bracelet worn on the wrist. The recordings obtained make it possible to analyze the sleep-wake rhythm (internal clock), the duration and the quality of sleep
In parallel with the study of sleep, several parameters of atherosclerosis were taken into account by the researchers: the calcium of the coronary artery, the presence of atheroma plaque at the level of the carotid artery, the thickness of the wall of the carotid artery and the arm-ankle index finger (which helps to assess blood pressure).
Irregular sleep in duration and schedule would promote atherosclerosis
After adjusting the data, participants with irregular sleep (differences of more than 120 minutes between sleep durations from one night to the next) were more exposed to an elevated level of calcium in the coronary arteries and an abnormal arm-ankle index, compared to participants with a duration of regular sleep (gap of less than 60 minutes from one night to the next). Likewise, an irregular sleep schedule (difference of more than 90 minutes from one night to the next) was associated with a higher calcium load in the coronary arteries, compared to a regular sleep schedule (difference of less than 30 minutes from one night to the next ‘other).
The associations thus highlighted remained significant following adjusting for data on cardiovascular risk factors and on other sleep parameters (average duration, sleep apnea syndrome and sleep fragmentation). These data show that sleep irregularity can promote atherosclerosis and therefore cardiovascular events, both sleep duration irregularity and sleep schedule irregularity. Taking care of your sleep means taking care of your arteries and therefore your heart!
Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy
Sources