New study sleep disorders significantly increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes

Problems sleeping can have serious health consequences
Many people around the world suffer from sleep problems. Insomnia not only affects the quality of life of those affected, but can also lead to serious health problems. Researchers have now found that insomnia significantly increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Researchers at China Medical University in Shenyang said in an investigation that insomnia can lead to heart attacks and strokes. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "European Journal of Preventive Cardiology".

Many people in Germany suffer from sleep problems. Physicians are now studying the negative effects of disturbed sleep on the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. (Image: Sven Vietense / fotolia.com)

Experts analyze the data of nearly 161,000 subjects
For their study, the Chinese researchers analyzed 15 prospective cohort studies with at least two years follow-up. A total of 160,867 subjects participated in these studies.

Physicians are looking for connection between disturbed sleep and heart disease
Previous research has already shown that there is a link between insomnia and deteriorating health. A link between insomnia and heart disease or strokes was previously considered inconsistent, the researchers say. For the new study, the team considered the association between various symptoms of insomnia (including difficulty in sleep onset, difficulty in maintaining sleep and difficulty in non-restorative sleep), and the incidence or death from cardiovascular disease (acute) Myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, heart failure) or by a stroke (or a combination of both events).

Determined effects of sleep problems
Findings from the current study showed that difficulty falling asleep with a 27 percent increased risk, difficulty in maintaining sleep with an 11 percent increased risk, and difficulty with non-restorative sleep with 18 percent higher risks of heart disease and stroke are connected. However, there was no association between early morning awakening and increased risk of these events, the researchers add.

One third of all Germans suffer from insomnia
Sleep is important for the so-called biological recovery. About one third of our lives are spent in sleeping. Nevertheless, there are more and more people in our modern society who complain about insomnia, explains the author. Qiao He from China Medical University in Shenyang. For example, it is estimated that about one third of the total population in Germany suffers from symptoms of insomnia.

Effects of insomnia on our body
Previous studies had shown that insomnia can alter metabolism and endocrine function, the researchers say. In addition, insomnia can increase sympathetic activation, blood pressure and inflammatory cytokines. All of these factors increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes, the author adds.

People with sleep problems should seek professional help
Women are generally more susceptible to insomnia. This is due to differences in genetics, the sex hormones and the effects of stress, explain the physicians. The health of women with sleep problems should therefore be considered more closely in the future, and people with sleep problems should generally be encouraged to seek professional help, according to the researchers. (As)