Effects of Sleep Deprivation on the Cardiovascular Health

Aim: Insomnia is subjective perception of dissatisfaction with sleep quality and/or duration. The present study aimed to determine the effects of sleep deprivation on cardiovascular risk factors and health.

Design, Place and Duration of Study: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Exservicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinic, Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala, Punjab, India from July, 2013 to Nov, 2013.

Methodology: All the retired defence personnel and their family members (N=351) were assessed to study physical activity, body mass index (BMI), dietary habits, alcohol, hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, stress, age, gender, employment, and education as determinants of sleep deprivation. The results were analyzed by Chi Square test with statistically significance of P value<.05.

Results: The total prevalence of insomnia was 27.64% with higher frequency in females (52.57%) than males (47.42%). The prevalence increased with advancing age >50 years (81.43%), unemployment (75.25%), illiteracy (69.06%) and upper socioeconomic status (39.17%). A significant association of insomnia with hypertension (59.80%; P<.05) and stress (28.86%; P<.001) was found. Alcohol (24.40%) and active lifestyle (38.58%) had shown protective role in sleep adequacy. However, sleep deprivation had no significant relation with obesity, metabolic syndrome, dietary practices, blood glucose, and lipids levels.

Conclusion: Insomnia and its significant relation with hypertension and stress increases cardiovascular risk which requires appropriate interventions by identifying those at the risk of chronic insomnia and its associations with females, advancing age, physical inactivity, low education level and unemployment.