Sleep and cardiovascular health

Abstract

Objective: To describe a literature review on the dimensions of sleep and its relationship with cardiovascular health (CVH). Literature review: Sleep is a complex physiological state structured in cycles, fundamental for organic restoration and autonomic regulation. Its regulation depends on the interaction between homeostatic processes (adenosine accumulation) and circadian rhythms coordinated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Sleep health is multidimensional, encompassing duration, quality, regularity, efficiency, and the absence of disorders. Alterations in these dimensions increase the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease, and heart failure through mechanisms such as systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and sympathetic hyperactivity, which compromise CVH health. The clinical relevance of sleep was ratified by its inclusion as the eighth component of the American Heart Association's Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) guideline. Final considerations: Sleep has become established as an essential component of CVH, surpassing the conception of a passive state of rest. The inclusion of sleep health in the LE8 model represents an advance in cardiovascular prevention and reinforces the need for a multidimensional assessment of sleep. In this context, strategies focused on sleep hygiene and health promotion have the potential to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and promote longevity.