08/07/2025
Irregular Sleep Patterns Linked to Atherosclerosis
A recent study has found that older adults with irregular sleep patterns are more likely to have a high burden of atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up inside the arteries, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
The study, conducted with a racially and ethnically diverse group of older adults, discovered that more than one-third of participants had a sleep duration standard deviation of over 90 minutes across a 7-day period. This irregularity is concerning as mounting evidence links sleep irregularity to CVD risk.
Irregular sleep patterns may cause disruptions to circadian rhythms, which can negatively impact cardiovascular functions, leading to chronic inflammation, altered glucose metabolism, and increased arterial pressures, all contributing to atherosclerosis progression.
