- New research published in the European Heart Journal has demonstrated a strong link between sleep habits and the development of peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition affecting over 200 million people globally that causes blocked arteries in the legs and increases the risk of stroke and heart attack.
- Researchers found that individuals sleeping less than 5 hours per night face a 74% higher risk of developing PAD compared to those who sleep 7 to 8 hours.
- The study emphasizes the importance of proper sleep in maintaining vascular health and preventing the onset of PAD.
A new study, published in the European Heart Journal, has discovered a significant link between inadequate sleep and an increased likelihood of developing peripheral artery disease (PAD).
The research revealed that those who sleep less than 5 hours per night have a 74% higher chance of developing PAD, compared to those who maintain a healthy sleep routine of 7 to 8 hours per night.
Both insufficient nighttime sleep and excessive daytime napping have been previously linked to an increased risk of coronary artery disease, which, like PAD, results from obstructed arteries.
This study aimed to address the knowledge gap surrounding the impact of sleep habits on PAD and vice versa, providing valuable insights into the relationship between the two.
The study involved over 650,000 participants and was carried out in two stages.
First, the researchers looked at how the amount of sleep people got at night and daytime napping were related to their risk of developing PAD.
Next, they used genetic information to conduct a Mendelian randomization analysis, helping to identify if these associations were actually causing the increased risk of PAD.
Mendelian randomization is a research method that uses genetic information to see if there is a cause-and-effect relationship between certain factors and a particular outcome. In simple terms, it is like a natural experiment that takes advantage of the random way our genes are…
Read the full article here