ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SLEEP DISORDERS AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH – EXAMINING HOW SLEEP PATTERNS AFFECT HEART DISEASE RISKS

Abstract

Background: Sleep disorders are increasingly recognized as modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet remain underdiagnosed and underprioritized in clinical assessments, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: To determine the association between sleep disorders and cardiovascular health by examining how variations in sleep patterns affect heart disease risk in adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over eight months at a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, including 422 adults aged 30–65 years. Sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and obstructive sleep apnea risk were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Berlin Questionnaire, respectively. Cardiovascular risk was evaluated using the Framingham Risk Score (FRS). Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, ANOVA, chi-square tests, and multivariate linear regression, with significance set at p<0.05.

Results: Of 422 participants, 244 (57.8%) reported poor sleep quality. These individuals had significantly higher mean FRS scores (14.8 ± 5.3) compared to those with good sleep (9.3 ± 4.1). A graded increase in FRS was observed with increasing ESS scores: 10.1 ± 4.6 in the normal group, 12.9 ± 5.0 in mild, and 15.7 ± 5.8 in moderate-to-severe categories. Participants at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea also exhibited elevated FRS (15.1 ± 5.5) compared to the low-risk group (9.7 ± 3.9).

Conclusion: Sleep disturbances, including poor sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and sleep apnea risk, are strongly associated with elevated cardiovascular risk. Early identification and management of sleep disorders may offer a valuable preventive strategy against CVD.