“April sweet sleep”. This rule applies to all of us, who live the anxieties of a certainly complex period. But it becomes essential for those who suffer from cardiovascular diseases and have survived a heart attack or in any case has been subjected to treatments such as the placement of a stent or a by-pass surgery. For these people, not having restful sleep in terms of quality and quantity means a greater risk of new cardiac events that require hospitalization such as heart attack, stroke or the onset of decompensation as well as death from circulatory problems. The risk attributable to this factor would increase the dangers by about 16% compared to those who have no problem falling into Morpheus’ arms and staying there for a sufficient time. Cigarettes are worse – for those who continue to smoke after a heart attack or revascularization procedures the risk rises by 27% – and lack of physical activity, which contributes to a 21% increase in risk.
Half of those with cardiovascular problems do not rest well
A research published on Sleep Advancespresented atESC Preventive Cardiology 2022, congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The issue is very topical, given that on average, also considering the psychological conditions that affect rest and are particularly heavy for heart sufferers, statistics show that almost half of people with cardiovascular diseases find it difficult to rest well. “Our study found that insomnia was still significantly associated with cardiac events even after accounting for symptoms of anxiety and depression – reports lead author. Lars Freuddell’University of Oslo. The findings suggest that heart patients should be evaluated for insomnia with the offer of appropriate management. ”
Heart door
Stress increases the risk of heart attack: by two and a half times
at Federico Mereta
The research examined just over 1050 patients (in about one case in five women) who were checked on average after almost a year and a half after a heart attack and / or a procedure to open blocked arteries (stent implantation or bypass surgery. ). Participants completed the Bergen Insomnia Scale questionnaire, which is based on the diagnostic criteria for insomnia. Six questions relate to the ability to fall asleep and stay asleep, wake up prematurely, feel insufficiently rested, daytime fatigue affecting the ability to function at work or socially, and being dissatisfied with sleep. Among the risk factors considered in the survey, in addition to the evaluation of C-reactive protein as a parameter of inflammation, the smoking habit and LDL cholesterol values, maximum pressure and waist circumference were evaluated. The presence of diabetes and the physical activity carried out were also assessed.
Observe yourself for four years
Patients were monitored for adverse cardiovascular events, defined as death or hospitalization for myocardial infarction, revascularization, stroke, or heart failure. At the time of observation, 45% of subjects suffered from insomnia and just under one in four reported using sleeping pills in the previous week. Over the observation period of more than four years, 364 events were observed in the study population. Compared with well-rested subjects, the relative risk of recurrent events in patients with insomnia was 1.62 after adjustment for age and sex, 1.49 after additional adjustment for coronary risk factors, and 1.48 after adjustment for coexisting conditions as well. The risk remained significant even considering the symptoms of anxiety and depression. According to Frojd “this means that 16% of serious adverse cardiovascular events recurrent could have been avoided if none of the participants had had insomnia. “
Practical advice to give to patients
“While the relationship with the adverse cardiovascular events of patients presenting with sleep disorders appears clear, we doctors must focus on the practical advice to be given to our patients, since cardiac events often produce a psychological trauma that people need. time to process – he explains Carlo Tumscitzof the Cardiological Center of the University of Ferrara. Sometimes this amplifies anxiety and insomnia disorders. In addition, increased health concern, especially when one has come close to risking one’s life for an acute event, can put patients in a better predisposition to change bad habits. “
Diet, no stress, exercise
What to do then? Changing a stressful work habit with little attention to rest, inserting even mild or moderate physical activity every day and improving one’s diet by avoiding large meals in the evening end up having the double advantage of improving the metabolic and also allow for better sleep. “Good habits and regular rest also end up having a decisive influence on cardiovascular health – concludes the expert. When insomnia becomes a torment, one should not worry about asking for help from a specialist who can also use the additional drug therapy correctly. But it is not enough if a balance is not found on all fronts that allows truly lasting and effective long-term results “.
Heart door
Thus loneliness threatens the hearts of the elderly (and not only)
at Federico Mereta
