Lack of Sleep Linked to Increased Risk of Heart Disease in Middle-Aged Women
New research presented at The North American Menopause Society Conference in Philadelphia in September suggests that middle-aged women experiencing ongoing insomnia or getting little sleep each night may be at a greater risk for heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in the United States, and the risk of developing it increases after menopause. The study aimed to determine whether sleep issues, which are common among menopausal women, could contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
How the Study Was Conducted
A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health analyzed data from SWAN, a long-term study involving 3,300 midlife women from different racial and ethnic groups across the U.S. Participants were asked about their sleep quality and duration in the previous month, and were classified as having insomnia if they experienced certain symptoms at least three to four times per week. The participants’ cardiovascular disease events, such as heart attack, stroke, bypass surgery, heart failure, and heart disease-related death, were also assessed.
Sleep and Heart Disease Risk
The findings showed that women with persistent insomnia had a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those with fewer insomnia symptoms over midlife. Even after adjusting for factors such as age, race, ethnicity, education, and other cardiovascular disease risk factors, the increased risk remained significant. Women with both persistent insomnia and short sleep duration had the highest risk of heart disease. This underscores the importance of considering sleep when assessing women’s cardiovascular disease risks.
Sleep Is Critical for Middle-Aged Women
Midlife is a critical time for cardiovascular disease prevention in women. Therefore, it is crucial for midlife women and their healthcare providers to discuss sleep patterns and make any necessary behavioral changes to reduce heart disease risk. The American Heart Association recommends their Life’s Essential 8 program, which includes focusing on nutrition, maintaining an active lifestyle, quitting tobacco, getting quality sleep, managing weight, controlling cholesterol and blood sugar, and managing blood pressure, to minimize the risk of heart disease.
