Review Article | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/2693-4779/267
1General practitioner at department of health Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
2Obstetrics and gynecology Registrar, Shendi Teaching Hospital, Shendi, Sudan.
3Head and neck surgery registrar, mc nimr university hospital, shandi,sudan
4General practitioner, Ibrahim Malik teaching hospital, Sudan
5House officer, Algadarif teaching hospital, Algadarif, Sudan
*Corresponding Author: Omama Omer Mohamed Abdalrazi, Head and neck surgery registrar, mc nimr university hospital, shandi, Sudan
Citation: Mahgoub Mohammedalhassan AA, Abdalla Ali RA, Mohamed Abdulrazak OO, Mohamed Osman RI, Mohammed Ahmed SAA, (2025), The Relationship between Cardiovascular Health and Sleep Quality, Clinical Research and Clinical Trials, 12(4); DOI:10.31579/2693-4779/267
Copyright: © 2025, Omama Omer Mohamed Abdalrazi. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Received: 14 April 2025 | Accepted: 02 May 2025 | Published: 20 May 2025
Keywords: cardiovascular health; sleep disorders; cycle of sleep; rapid eye movement (rem); non-rapid eye movement (nrem)
Our study examines how sleep quality affects cardiovascular health, highlighting the negative impacts of lack of sleep and identifying knowledge gaps about its long-term impacts. The sleep's two primary phases that most people experience is REM, and NREM. We spend between 75 and 80 percent of our sleep time during the NREM phase and the remaining part in the REM phase. Unwanted psychological effects like sadness, nervousness, hostility, poor mental health and disorders of hyperactivity and attention deficiency have been linked to poor quality of sleep. The cardiac system is essential for controlling pressure and pulse throughout various phases of sleep. In the early phases of NREM, heart rate and blood pressure are higher, while cerebellar blood flow is decreasing. Studies have revealed connections between the disorders the coronary artery, hypertension, and sleep quality. Because Sleep-related autonomic dysregulation disturbs sympatho-vagal balance, The progression of these diseases might be influenced by it. Furthermore, a number of sleep problems have an additional effect on cardiovascular health. Older adults experiencing insomnia face an increased chance of getting cardiovascular conditions. Heart conditions are also linked to syndrome of restless legs (RLS), obstructive sleep apnoea, and narcolepsy. What we know about the long-lasting consequences of inadequate sleeping on heart wellness is still lacking, even though 84 Various categories of sleep disorders have been recognized. To investigate these connections and broaden our knowledge of this subject more research is required. In light of these findings, our recommendations highlight how important it is for medical experts and practitioners to share information, and increase patient awareness on good sleep hygiene. Healthcare professionals can help reduce the total burden of heart disease by disseminating information on the value of sleep quality and how it affects cardiovascular health. the prompt detection and treating sleep disturbances is critical to enhancing cardiovascular outcomes.
The physiological state known as sleep is one that is characterized by change in central nervous system where there is change in brain wave and loss of consciousness The physiological state known as sleep is characterized by a change in the brain wave, the l nervous system, and a loss of awareness which is reversible, change in respiration pattern, together with additional physiological processes. A third of the human life span is accounted for sleep and has main role in physical health and mental wellness (1). In previous Studies there is a negative impact due to poor quality sleep and sleep disorder on physical health such cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and diabetes, especially type 2 (1), persistent pain, higher records of body mass index (2). Also, poor sleep quality has a negative psychological impact such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, altered cognitive function, and changed mood (e.g., anxiety, depression and anger). (2)
Sleep Physiology
There are two main stages in sleep cycle:
Rapid eye movement (REM),
Non-Rapid Eye movement (NREM)
Over the course of the sleep hours, these phases change. There are four phases in the non-fast eye movement stage that culminate in REM sleep. That is mean 75–80% of sleep cycle is in the NREM state while the remaining portion is in the REM state (3). One of cardiovascular system important roles is controlling the pulse rate and the blood pressure according to different stages of the sleep cycle. When you sleep, your pulse rate and your blood pressure go up. In addition, blood flow and metabolism in cerebellum are reduced during the NREM stage nonetheless, there is a noticeable increase in the cerebellum’ blood flow in association with the visual and limbic system. Sleep length has been connected to coronary artery illness development. (CAD) (3) and hypertension (4). The pathophysiology can be related to imbalance of autonomic regulation, which alters the sympatho-vagal balance during the sympathetic activity of sleep (3).
Nowadays, the International Classification of Sleep Disorder (ICSD-II) criteria discovered eighty-four different sleep disorders (1). Insomnia is a disorder that keeps people awake in night which lead to daytime drowsiness. About one out of every five elderly people was thought to have sleeplessness. (5). Insomnia patient may have 45% higher risk of CVD (6). Narcolepsy is a disorder where the patient complains of excessive daytime sleepiness and has problem in regulating his sleep wake cycles. In Europe, the incidence of narcolepsy was 0.64–1.37 cases per 100,000 people, while the prevalence was 47 cases per 100,000 people. (7). They are susceptible for developing cardiovascular disease (hypertension, Heart attack and heart failure), Stroke (8) (9). Patient with restless legs syndrome (RLS) feel uncomfortable and unsettled especially at night because of periodic limb movement. The prevalence rises with aging and is estimated to be between 5% and 10%. RLS patient seem to be more susceptible for cardiovascular diseases (10). Patient with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) has trouble in making normal breath during sleep. The stop-and-start breathing might cause a drop in oxygen saturation and interfere with sleep. In the middle age range, roughly 17% of women and 34% of men fit the OSA diagnostic criteria. OSA has been linked to be more susceptible for blood pressure elevation, Stroke and cardiovascular (Cardiac failure and coronary artery illness) (11).
The review investigates the long-term effects of sleep disturbances on cardiovascular health as well as the link between cardiovascular disease and sleep quality.
Main body:
Phases and cycles of sleep:
Sleeping Phases REM and NREM are the two primary phases of sleep. There are three stages of NREM sleep: phases one, two, and three. These correlate with larger and slower waves of brain activity and get deeper over time. The three major components of sleep staging are myofascial tone (muscle tone), optometry
(Eye movements), and electroencephalography (brain wave activity). When sleep sets in, the high frequency (>15 Hz or cycles per second) low amplitude (peak-to-peak difference) electroencephalogram (EEG) the wakefulness pattern vanishes, and Stage N1 takes its place.
A shift from 8–12 Hz EEG alpha waves indicates the Stage N1 transitional state, which is the state between tiredness and sleep. It is linked to vertex strong waves, theta (4–8 Hz), or low voltage waves, comfortable wakefulness, and the lack of other symptoms of the sleep period. Usually, a person only spends a short while in Stage N1 sleep before transitioning to Stage N2 sleep. Specific EEG waveforms known as K complexes and sleep spindles (12 and 14 Hz) (Huge slow waves of <1>. Sometimes called a slow wave sleep, stage N3 (SWS), comes after
Stage N2. [12]
After non-fast eye movement sleep, fast eye movement sleep is typified by postural muscle atonia and low-amplitude EEG patterns that resemble waking, and episodic bursts of fast side-to-side (saccadic) eye movements. REM sleep is linked to vivid dreams and happens in short bursts during the night. [12]
REM-NREM Cycle
REM and NREM sleep continue to interchange cyclically throughout the night. REM rest cycles commonly stretch during the term of the evening. As stage 2 sleep emerges to occupy the non-rapid portion of the cycle, phases three and four of sleep take up less time in the second cycle and may even disappear entirely in later cycles. While the second and subsequent NREM-REM sleep cycles normally range between 90 and 120 minutes, the first cycle lasts between 70 and 100 minutes. The typical duration of the non-fast and the fast eye movement cycle during the night is probably between 90 to 110 minutes. [12]
Stage N1
For a normal young adult, the initial period of sleep is Stage 1 sleep, which lasts just a few minutes (1 to 7) at the beginning of sleep. It’s easy to quit resting during stage 1 by doing things like murmuring somebody’s name, tenderly stroking them, discreetly closing an entryway, etc. Hence, negligible limit for excitement is connected to arrange 1 rest. Notwithstanding its capability during the primary wake-to-rest progress, the principal phase of rest is a phase that vacillates during the evening. The amount and proportion of the first stage of sleep are increasing, which is a common feature of serious insomnia. [13]
Stage N2
This brief term of the principal phase of rest is trailed by a more extended time of rest, enduring somewhere in the range of 10 and 25 minutes, which is demonstrated by rest shafts or K-buildings in the EEG. More grounded feeling is expected to prompt readiness in the second period of rest. Stage 2 rest oftentimes has an evoked K-complex in any case, there is no enlivening in light of the very upgrade that stimulates from stage 1 rest. [13]
Stage N3
Stage Three of NREM rest is described by high-voltage (somewhere around 75 µV) slow-wave (2 cups) action, which makes up more than 20% however not north of 50% of the EEG movement. Commonly, the underlying pattern of stage 3 rest requires only a couple of
moments [13].
REM
REM rest normally makes up between 20% and 25 percent of absolute rest and occurs in four to six separate episodes. [13] REM rest is measured using a low-voltage EEG when saccadic eye development occurs during aging, blended recurrence in relationship in with an extremely low degree of sub mentalis EMG movement. Ages with low-voltage, blended recurrence EEG and proceeding with low degrees of submental EMG (without eye
development) are likewise scored as REM rest. Epochs that occur immediately prior to, immediately after, and concurrently with REM sleep until arousal, an increase in EMG levels, or the return of k-complexes or the sleep spindle takes place. The smoothing rules bypass minor changes on the notion that REM rest addresses a persevering focal sensory system (CNS) hierarchical state region from attentiveness and NREM. [14]
• Narcolepsy and cataplexy
Narcolepsy is characterized by an overwhelming need to sleep in unsuitable circumstances and settings. Assaults come on rapidly and end rapidly on the off chance that the individual encountering them isn’t occupied. Sudden loss of stance tone is known as cataplexy. The individual falls to the floor. Consciousness remains intact. An attack can be sparked by emotion, such as crying or laughing.
The narcolepsy/cataplexy tetrad:
Ten percent of patients show signs of the complicated tetrad. More men than women are impacted. 1:12,000 is the prevalence. Early adulthood/adolescence is the point of onset. The disorder never goes away, but as people age, it becomes less severe. It may occur after a head injury, be linked to multiple sclerosis, run in families, or result from hypothalamic tumours. Pathology-related research has found an early elimination of the neurons in the hypothalamus that produce the hormones orexin and hypocretin, which promote alertness.
Diagnosis
EEG investigations support the suggestive history. Multiple sleep latency testing (MSLT) is diagnostic, demonstrating that in two of the four naps (short sleeps), REM start occurred within fifteen minutes after sleep beginning.
Treatment
Daytime sleepiness is decreased by the non-amphetamine stimulant modafinil, which promotes wakefulness. Amphetamines, the more potent drugs, have the potential to lead to addiction. Sodium oxy-bate is a more up to date specialist that further develops evening time rest and decreases cataplexy. The stimulant effect of selegiline, which is partially metabolized into amphetamine, may be beneficial. It’s also worth trying SSRIs and clomipramine. At times altering way of life alone by feline snoozing is adequate. [15]
OSA, or Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Sleep Apnoea with due to obstruction (OSA): Whether or whether there are oxygen desaturations, OSA is brought on by frequent bouts of upper respiratory blockage and collapse while you're asleep. That cause arousals. An oropharynx collapses posteriorly in the throat during an episode of OSA, which can cause agitation, oxygen desaturation, or both, as well as disturbed sleep. [16]
Sleepwalking and terrors at night
Terrors at night and sleepwalking can happen at any point during the NREM sleep cycle, but they are more frequent during the initial slow wave sleep episode. It has been found that the hypersynchronous delta activity, which was previously believed to be a specific characteristic of somnambulism, is not. Post-arousal EEG activity indicates a changed state of consciousness while having periods of sleep terror and sleepwalking. The mechanism behind non-REM awakening parasomnias includes components that support deep sleep and a sluggish wave, in addition to predisposing factors that may be inherited propensities toward deep sleep and triggering factors (stress, endogenous or environmental stimuli, and stimulants) that increase fragmentation of sleep. [17]
Sleep paralysis
A rare neurologic condition is hypnopompic or post dormital sleep paralysis, which occurs when a person cannot move their limbs, speak, or even open their eyes when they wake up; hypnagogic or pre dormital sleep paralysis occurs less commonly. The patient is well aware of his condition and has an impeccable memory of the event. Occasionally, vivid and frightening hallucinations precede or accompany sleep paralysis in the pre- or post dormital stages of sleep. Rarely, cataplexy may come on first. Every time the paralysis stops abruptly, it does so either by itself, after a patient makes a determined effort to break the paralysis, or in response to some kind of sensory stimuli, like being touched or spoken to. The episode duration is typically a few minutes, but maybe just a few seconds. [18].
Risk Factors for cardiovascular disease
The World Health Organization says that an unhealthy diet, not getting enough exercise, and drinking alcohol are all behavioural risk factors for cardiac problems and strokes. The conduct risk elements can appear as expanded hazard of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis, as well as overweight and weight, are a portion of the side effects that an individual might insight because of social gamble factors. A higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure is indicated by these intermediate risk factors, which can be evaluated in primary care settings. It has been exhibited that decreasing one’s utilization of salt, eating more products of the soil, getting customary activity, and keeping away from liquor utilization all lower the gamble of cardiovascular sicknesses.
High cholesterol and unregulated blood pressure
The prevalence of uncontrolled high blood pressure and uncontrolled high LDL-C levels among adult Americans decreased between 1999–2000 and 2009–2010 (uncontrolled high LDL-C decreased by 9.3% and uncontrolled high blood pressure decreased by 7.6%). There was no discernible decline in the widespread and extensive use of smoking during the 12-year period. Among those aged 20 and older in 2009–2010, 25.1% were current smokers, 23.3% had uncontrolled elevated LDL-C, and 11.8% had uncontrolled hypertension. [19]
Diabetes mellitus
Numerous clinical preliminaries have analysed the effect of forceful hyperglycaemia treatment on bringing down cardiovascular gamble in the beyond couple of many years, with blended discoveries in T2D [20] and T1D [21].
Alcohol
A review recommends the affiliation interface over the top liquor utilization and cardiovascular demise satisfies the guideline rules for causality. In addition to the amount of alcohol consumed, drinking patterns should be the focus of future research on the negative effects of alcohol consumption. [22]
Obesity
Obesity has been more common worldwide during the last few decades, irrespective of age, gender, or the degree of development of a country. In general, there is a strong and consistent correlation between obesity and unhealthy body weight (BMI 35 kg/m2) and an increasedrisk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) incident and mortality. [23]
Obesity has been more common worldwide in recent decades, regardless of a country's level of development, gender, or age. There is a clear and continuous correlation between obesity and unhealthy body weight (body mass index, ≥35 kg/m2) and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and death in the general population. [23]
The connection between cardiovascular diseases and insufficient sleep:
In the US, insomnia, or lack of sleep, is the most widespread sleeping problem, and has a strong correlation with a number of cardiovascular conditions. Several observational studies have shown a correlation between the incidence of vascular disease and sleeplessness, including elevation in blood pressure, arterial diseases, and heart failure. Insomnia, especially when accompanied by A short sleep duration is associated with a higher risk of heart failure, vascular disorders, and high blood pressure. Increased sympathetic nervous system activity and pituitary-hypothalamic axis dysregulation were the immediate outcomes of the proposed pathways. [24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,31]
Sleep apnoea
Triggering significant increases in sympathetic activity while you sleep. {32} Unnecessary daytime sluggishness extremely prevalent in adult Americans and independently linked, in a large national sample, to a 2.5-fold higher chance of dying from heart disease. {26}
There are many ways to get a better night’s sleep: {22}
Avoid caffeinated drinks. Exercise before bedtime Avoid heavy meals, especially at night. decreases consumption of alcohol.
In review that discusses the major effect of sleep on cardiovascular system, it is emphasis that sleep is collection of complicated neurological actions that necessary to meet several biological demands, and getting good sleep pattern & adequately sleep interval has been consider as an essential public
health matter [35]. Cardiovascular diseases are one of major life-threating diseases in developing world. However, the relationship between Insufficiency of sleep durations and cardiovascular hazards could be due to insufficient or imperfect sleep periods influences on cardiovascular biological risk agents such as high serum cholesterol, elevation of blood pressure, presence of diabetes, & developing of excess weight relating diseases[36][37].At other side the connection between occurrence of new cases cardiovascular illness and long durations of sleep show that prolonged durations of sleep could be the earliest clinical symptom prior the disease [36].At overall, prolonged and shortened sleep durations were Independently related with high cardiovascular diseases mortality rate [38]. But prolonged sleep period especially between those with bad sleep quality could be related with more higher mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases [39] That’s mean, sleep quality is a necessary part in the normal recovery of body during sleeping, so to prevent cardiovascular diseases it is important to get perfect sleep quality. [40] The most important strength point showed in this review is; the modality of sleep can alter the cardiovascular events relationship with durations of sleep [41]. Therefore, prolonged and shortened sleep periods may not be considering as cardiovascular health hazards in people with good sleep modality and vice versa in people with poor modality of sleep [41]. So, we recommend future workups should also focused on sleep quality as well as sleep durations for better approach of cardiovascular health.
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