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Insomnia Symptoms Are Associated With Abnormal Endothelial Function
Faye S Routledge1, Sandra B Dunbar, Melinda Higgins
1Faye S. Routledge, PhD, RN Assistant Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Sandra B. Dunbar, PhD, RN Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Melinda Higgins, PhD Associate Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Ann E. Rogers, PhD, RN Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Christine Feeley, PhD, RN Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburg Medical Center, Pennsylvania. Octavian Ioachimescu, PhD, MD Associate Professor, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Kristina Euwer, MD Medical House Staff, University of Pittsburg Medical Center, Pennsylvania; and School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Danny Eapen, MD Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Arshed Quyyumi, MD Professor, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
Insomnia symptoms are linked to poorer endothelial function, a key indicator of cardiovascular health. This suggests a potential mechanism connecting sleep disturbances to increased heart disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Sleep Science
- Endothelial Function
Background:
- Insomnia is a common sleep disorder linked to cardiovascular disease.
- Endothelial dysfunction may mediate the relationship between insomnia and cardiovascular risk.
- This study investigated the association between insomnia symptoms and endothelial function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that insomnia symptoms are associated with reduced endothelial function.
- To explore the link between subjective sleep quality and objective measures of vascular health.
Main Methods:
- 496 working adults completed questionnaires on sleep, depression, and anxiety.
- Noninvasive endothelial function was assessed using brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD).
- Insomnia symptoms were defined by sleep latency, awakenings, or medication use frequency.
Main Results:
- 39.5% of participants reported insomnia symptoms.
- Insomnia symptoms were inversely associated with FMD after adjusting for confounders.
- Participants with insomnia had significantly lower FMD compared to those with better sleep.
Conclusions:
- Insomnia symptoms are associated with impaired endothelial function.
- Further research is needed to explore the impact of insomnia treatment on endothelial function and cardiovascular outcomes.
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