A large-scale study involving over 650,000 participants has established a significant link between short sleep durations (under five hours nightly) and a heightened risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition characterized by blocked leg arteries that can lead to stroke and heart attack. Published in the European Heart Journal – Open, the research indicates that individuals who sleep less than five hours are 74% more likely to develop PAD compared to those who sleep seven to eight hours. Dr. Shuai Yuan from the Karolinska Institute emphasizes that adequate sleep reduces PAD risk. The study employed observational analyses and genetic data to explore the interplay between sleep habits and PAD, with findings showing that not only does lack of sleep increase PAD risk, but having PAD may also contribute to sleep issues. While associations were noted between longer sleep and increased PAD risk, no causal relationships were established. Similarly, daytime napping linked to a 32% increase in PAD risk lacked causal confirmation. The researchers advocate for further investigation into how sleep duration and PAD interact, suggesting lifestyle changes like increased physical activity could mitigate PAD risk, and optimize pain management for affected individuals to improve sleep.
