Just three sleepless nights could be enough to strain your heart
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Annie Curtis Wednesday 28 May 2025 11:19 BST
Scientists pinpoint how many hours sleep will increase your risk of heart disease
A new study from Uppsala University in Sweden reveals that just three nights of restricted sleep (around four hours) can trigger changes in the blood that are linked to a higher risk of heart disease.
Researchers found that sleep deprivation caused a rise in inflammatory markers in the blood, which can damage blood vessels and raise the risk of heart failure, coronary heart disease, and irregular heartbeat.
The study involved 16 healthy young men who underwent periods of normal sleep (8.5 hours) and sleep restriction (4.25 hours) in a controlled lab setting.
Exercise-induced boosts in healthy proteins like interleukin-6 and BDNF were weaker after poor sleep, indicating that sleep deprivation can diminish the cardiovascular benefits of physical activity.
The study showed that even short-term sleep deprivation can have significant negative impacts on cardiovascular health. In full
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