Researchers from the Karolinska Institute found that nighttime sleeplessness increased the risk of thrombosis of the arteries in the legs by 74%. European Heart Journal.
More than 200 million people worldwide suffer from peripheral arterial disease (PAD), in which blood clots block the arteries in the legs. This results in restriction of blood flow, reduced quality of life, and increased risk of stroke and heart attack.
More than 650,000 people participated in the new study. In an analysis of data from 53.4 participants, the researchers found that sleeping less than five hours a night was associated with almost twice the risk of PAH, compared with seven to eight hours of sleep.
This conclusion was confirmed by further analysis of 156 thousand and 452 thousand people. At the same time, the relationship between sleep disturbances and arterial thrombosis was bidirectional: a short night’s sleep may increase the likelihood of developing PAH, and the presence of PAD increases the risk of sleep deprivation.
Scientists believe more research is needed to break the bidirectional relationship between sleep deprivation and PAD. They suggest that physical activity and a generally healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing PAH. Patients with PAD may need to take pain relievers to restore sleep quality.
Inadequate night’s sleep has previously been associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, which is also caused by clogged arteries.
Source: Gazeta
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