New research from Uppsala University in Sweden highlights the profound effect of even a short period of poor sleep on cardiovascular health. The study found that just three nights of sleep deprivation averaging about four hours per night can cause changes in the body that increase the risk of heart disease.
In a controlled laboratory setting involving 16 healthy young men, researchers observed sharp rises in proteins linked to inflammation and cardiovascular disease after sleep restriction. These proteins are already associated with conditions like coronary artery disease and heart failure. The findings underscore that poor sleep quality and duration have immediate adverse effects, even in young and healthy adults.
Importantly, the study also showed that strenuous exercise could not completely negate the harmful impact of sleep deprivation, emphasizing sleep as an irreplaceable component of heart health. Researchers caution that more work is needed to understand these effects in women and older adults.
Lead researcher Jonathan Cedernaes stressed the significance of these findings for public health messaging, urging people to prioritize good sleep habits alongside nutrition and exercise to protect cardiovascular health.