Association between sleep duration and cardiovascular risk: the EVasCu cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Sleep Science
• Biomarker Research

Background:

• Cardiovascular risk markers are associated with sleep duration in various populations.
• Limited evidence exists regarding sleep duration and cardiovascular risk in healthy individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between sleep duration and cardiovascular risk biomarkers in healthy adults.
• To analyze advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) via skin autofluorescence (SAF), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT_Max), aortic pulse wave velocity (a-PWV), pulse pressure (PP), and LDL-C.

Main Methods:

• The EVasCu study included 390 healthy participants, with 296 analyzed.
• Sleep duration was categorized into <6h, 6-8h, and >8h.
• Statistical analyses included simple and multiple linear regressions, ANOVA, and ANCOVA, adjusted for covariates.

Main Results:

• Initial regressions showed inverse associations between sleep duration and SAF, IMT_Max, aPWV, and PP, which were lost after covariate adjustment.
• ANOVA revealed associations, but only SAF remained statistically significant in fully adjusted ANCOVA (p=0.015).
• A significant difference in SAF was observed between sleep durations <6h and >8h (p=0.017); no association was found for LDL-C.

Conclusions:

• An inverse association exists between sleep duration and AGEs (SAF), a cardiovascular risk marker.
• Insufficient sleep may increase cardiovascular risk, warranting consideration in public health strategies.
• Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.