Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2025

Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice
10:56

Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice

Published on: August 2, 2017

10.1K

Investigating the causal interplay between sleep traits and risk of acute myocardial infarction: a Mendelian

Nikhil Arora1,2, Laxmi Bhatta3,4,5, Eivind Schjelderup Skarpsno6,7

  • 1K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. nikhil.arora@ntnu.no.

BMC Medicine
|October 5, 2023
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Combinations of sleep traits like insomnia and short sleep increase acute myocardial infarction (AMI) risk, though effects appear independent. Long sleep did not elevate AMI risk in this factorial Mendelian randomization study.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Epidemiology
  • Sleep Science
  • Genetic Epidemiology

Background:

  • Limited research exists on the combined impact of sleep traits on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) risk.
  • Factorial Mendelian randomization (MR) has not been previously applied to investigate these joint effects, presenting an opportunity to mitigate confounding and bias.
  • Understanding these relationships is crucial for developing targeted sleep interventions to reduce AMI incidence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the causal interplay between combinations of two sleep traits (insomnia symptoms, sleep duration, chronotype) and the risk of AMI using factorial MR.
  • To assess whether the effects of sleep traits on AMI risk are independent or interactive.
  • To identify specific sleep trait combinations associated with altered AMI risk.

Main Methods:

  • A 2x2 factorial Mendelian randomization design was employed using genetic risk scores for insomnia symptoms, sleep duration, and chronotype.
  • Data from the UK Biobank (UKBB) and the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT2) were utilized.
  • Genetic risk scores were dichotomized at the median, and combinations of traits were analyzed to estimate AMI risk.

Main Results:

  • In UKBB, individuals with high genetic risk for both insomnia symptoms and short sleep showed the highest AMI risk (HR 1.10).
  • High genetic risk for morning chronotype combined with insomnia symptoms or short sleep also elevated AMI risk in UKBB (HRs 1.09 and 1.11, respectively).
  • No statistically significant evidence of interaction between sleep traits on AMI risk was observed in either cohort.

Conclusions:

  • While no significant interactions were found, combinations of certain sleep traits (excluding long sleep) were associated with increased AMI risk.
  • The findings suggest that the primary effects of individual sleep traits on AMI risk are likely independent.
  • These results underscore the importance of addressing individual sleep issues to mitigate cardiovascular risk.
Keywords:
ChronotypeInsomniaMendelian randomizationMyocardial infarctionSleep duration

More Related Videos

Noninvasive, High-throughput Determination of Sleep Duration in Rodents07:33

Noninvasive, High-throughput Determination of Sleep Duration in Rodents

Published on: April 18, 2018

7.9K
A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice06:23

A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice

Published on: September 22, 2020

5.4K

Related Concept Videos

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
151
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
180
Cause and Effect01:53

Cause and Effect

While variables are sometimes correlated because one does cause the other, it could also be that some other factor, a confounding variable, is actually causing the systematic movement in our variables of interest. For instance, as sales in ice cream increase, so does the overall rate of crime. Is it possible that indulging in your favorite flavor of ice cream could send you on a crime spree? Or, after committing crime do you think you might decide to treat yourself to a cone?
10.9K
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
19
Factors Influencing Heart Rate01:30

Factors Influencing Heart Rate

The heart rate, or pulse rate, is a vital indicator of cardiovascular health. It reflects the number of times the heart beats per minute. Various physiological and environmental factors influence heart rate, increasing or decreasing cardiac output. Understanding these factors is crucial for assessing heart function and identifying potential health issues.
Let us explore the significant factors affecting heart rate, including age, body temperature, posture, acute pain, chemical influences,...
2.7K
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation02:19

Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation

The biological clock is involved in many aspects of regulating complex physiology in all animals. It was in 1935 when German zoologists, Hans Kalmus and Erwin Bünning, discovered the existence of circadian rhythm in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the internal molecular mechanisms behind the circadian clock remained a mystery until 1984, when Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young discovered the expression of the Per gene oscillating over a 24-hour cycle. In subsequent...
4.1K