Chapter 19 - Sleep Disturbances, Hypertension, and Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Hypertension and type 2 diabetes are both risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of these conditions in the world is very high and appears to be rising. In recent years a wealth of evidence has accumulated, which now supports an epidemiological link between both quantity and quality of sleep and these cardiovascular risk factors. In this chapter some of this evidence will be discussed along with potential mechanisms that may underlie these associations. The importance of sleep to public health and disease prevention is addressed.