Abstract P196: Insomnia Symptoms And Ideal Cardiovascular Health In Older Women: Data From The Women’S Health Study

Abstract

Introduction: While insomnia is associated with an increased risk of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD), its relationship with ideal cardiovascular health (ICH) is less certain. Given that sleep disturbances increase with age, we examined the relationship between insomnia symptoms and ICH in older women. Methods: Among women participating in the ongoing Women’s Health Study stress cohort with no apparent history of CVD [N= 2588; Mean age= 72.5 ± 6.3], insomnia symptoms were characterized as self-reported difficulty falling asleep or waking up multiple times a night, three or more times per week. Ideal cardiovascular health, as defined by the American Heart Association’s 2020 Impact goals, included standard optimal targets for blood pressure, total cholesterol, glucose, body mass index, physical activity, diet, and smoking. We examined the relationship between insomnia symptoms and ICH using logistic regression, adjusting for clinical and demographic variables. Results: Of the 26588 participants, 52% reported insomnia symptoms, and 38% had ICH. Women with insomnia symptoms had significantly lower odds of ICH after full adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, education, income, depression/anxiety, marital status, and sleep duration (OR [95% CI]: 0.73 [0.64-0.83]). Moreover, compared to women without insomnia symptoms, those with insomnia symptoms were significantly more likely to have hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, depression, anxiety, currently smoke, drink one or more alcoholic beverages per day, have a BMI >30, or exercise less frequently. Conclusion: In older women, insomnia symptoms were significantly associated with lower odds of ideal cardiovascular health even after adjusting for socioeconomic status, psychosocial factors, and sleep duration. These results suggest insomnia screening may be an important component of cardiovascular health promotion in this patient population. Further research is needed to evaluate the effects of sleep behavioral interventions on improving ICH.