Sleep insufficiency and incidence of cardiovascular disease among adults in Greece

Abstract

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Sleep disorders are an increasing and modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Purpose The aim of our study was to investigate potential associations between sleep insufficiency and incident CVD. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 957 participants, (mean age 49.62 ± 14.79) from the region of Thrace, Greece were enrolled and classified into three groups [short (<6 h), normal (6-8 h) and long (>8 h) sleep duration]. CVD was assessed by a positive response to the following questions: "Have you been told by a doctor that you have had a heart attack or angina (chest pain or exertion that is relieved by medication)?" or "Have you been told by a doctor that you have had a stroke?". Participants’ sleep quality was estimated with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Athens Insomnia Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Berlin Questionnaire. Results The overall prevalence of CVD was 9.5%. The population with CVD exhibited reduced sleep duration and efficiency reduced by 33 min and 10%, respectively. After adjusting for all possible cofounders, short sleep duration was 3.07-times more frequent in patients with CVD and sleep duration of less than 5:33 hours could be a potential risk factor for CVD, especially among females. Additionally, CVD was significantly associated with excessive increased daytime sleepiness, insomnia, poor sleep quality and increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Conclusion(s): Our study depicts a strong correlation of sleep insufficiency with CVD and promotes early pharmacological or cognitive behavioral interventions in order to protect cardiovascular health. Abstract Figure. Results