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Habitual sleep pattern hardening your blood vessels

Genetically tied sleep tendencies may prove resistant to change, according to sleep specialists. However, understanding that a specific sleep practice could potentially stiffen arteries warrants careful consideration.

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Genetically embedded sleep behaviors pose challenges for change, sleep specialists warn, as a...
Genetically embedded sleep behaviors pose challenges for change, sleep specialists warn, as a specific habit linked to hardening of arteries demands vigilance.

Habitual sleep pattern hardening your blood vessels

Hey there! Ever wondered about your body clock type? It turns out that our body clocks, or chronotypes, could have a significant impact on our health, and it's more than just an annoyance.

From early birds to night owls, everyone has a unique body clock type, and it seems to be something we're born with, according to sleep scientist Dr. Matthew Walker. He emphasizes that it's genetic, so you don't have the power to decide whether you're a morning lark or a night owl – it's coded in your genes.

Now, let's talk about those night owls. Past research has shown that they are more prone to premature death, and a major reason is their sleep habits. Poor sleep has been linked to hardening of the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. But a new study takes it one step further.

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden examined over 700 adults aged 50 to 64 and found a striking connection between evening chronotypes and an increased risk of atherosclerosis. In fact, night owls had almost double the percentage of pronounced artery calcification compared to morning types.

The study, conducted as part of the Swedish CArdioPulmonary BioImage Study (SCAPIS), took into account other factors like blood pressure, weight, physical activity, stress level, sleep, and smoking, to ensure the results were not biased.

The study's authors suggest that circadian rhythms might have a more significant role in the early stages of disease processes and should be considered in the preventative treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

So, knowing your chronotype could help your doctor provide targeted advice to reduce your risk of heart disease. One way to start is by following the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8TM program, which offers guidelines for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health.

Another key player in artery health is vitamin K2, which may be associated with calcification and elevated heart disease risk[6]. And, drinking tea daily, particularly green or black tea, can provide flavonoids shown in studies to reduce artery calcification[5].

In a nutshell, being aware of your chronotype could be a game-changer for your heart health. Don't forget to click here for more insights on natural heart cures and misconceptions surrounding popular heart treatments!

Sources:- HealthScale.com: Chronotypes: Your natural propensity to be an early riser or a night owl- Sleep Science: Chronotype and atherosclerosis- Chronobiology International: Circadian rhythms, sleep, and metabolic health- American Heart Association: Life's Essential 8SM- Quirks Research Reviews: Vitamin K2 and arterial calcification- MindBodyGreen: The Power of Flavonoids in Tea for Cardiovascular Health

[1] Chronobiology International. Vol 37, pp. 1541-1551, 2020.[2] European Journal of Nutrition. Vol 57, pp. 1013-1026, 2018.[3] Sleep Science. Vol 8, pp. e01373, 2017.[4] British Journal of Nutrition. Vol 118, pp. 1206-1216, 2017.[5] Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. Vol 64, pp. 1700335, 2020.[6] American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vol 101, pp. 1071-1079, 2015.

It appears that night owls, those with an evening chronotype, may be at a higher risk of developing atherosclerosis, a condition linked to hardening of the arteries, due to their sleep habits and potential influence of circadian rhythms on disease processes. On the other hand, understanding your chronotype could potentially help doctors provide targeted advice to reduce the risk of heart disease, as part of a comprehensive approach to heart health that might include programs like the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8TM and the consumption of vitamin K2 and flavonoids found in tea.

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