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Poor sleep increased risk for heart disease in adolescents
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Adolescents who slept poorly or who did not sleep enough had a higher risk for heart disease and stroke, according to researchers who presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2010.
“Sleep disorders in kids are on the increase,” Brian McCrindle, MD, a pediatric cardiologist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, said in a press release. “They are marching hand in hand with other increasing cardiovascular risk factors such as overweight and obesity, lack of physical activity, a poor diet and high levels of unhealthy cholesterol.”
The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate cardiovascular risk factors in more than 1,600 students who participated in the Heart Niagara through the Healthy Heart Schools’ Program. The students also were asked to complete a sleep questionnaire that detailed sleep time, sleep quality, frequency of sleep disturbances and use of sleep medications.
Of all the students, 1,438 completed the sleep questionnaire. Twenty-two percent of the students rated their sleep as fair or very bad. There was a significant association between sleep disturbance score and overall sleep quality. Although most students reported not having trouble staying awake during the day, 19% reported having this problem. Seventeen percent of the students reported using sleep medication.
A higher sleep disturbance score was associated with higher total cholesterol, higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and a higher BMI. A lower amount of sleep was associated with higher BMI. There was no association between sleep quality and systolic blood pressure.
Studies have related poor sleeping habits to higher BP and poor health condition. Also, physical inactivity and poor eating habits may affect sleep.
“It is a perfect example of harmful synergy at work,” McCrindle said in the press release. “It’s like the chicken and egg conundrum: Lack of physical activity and poor food choices negatively affect quality of sleep. On the other hand, lack of sleep can lead to being too tired to exercise and not taking the time to eat properly.”
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