SLEEP DISORDERS AS A RISK FACTOR FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Julia Aleksandra Leśniak; Natalia Maria Leśniak; Klaudia Martyna Patrzykąt; Anna Maria Zakrzewska; Aleksander Midera; Michał Borowski; Klaudia Elżbieta Niwińska; Julia Agnieszka Michalak; Monika Augustyn; Kinga Popielarska; Kacper Jaskulski

doi:10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.5026

Authors

Julia Aleksandra Leśniak Central Clinical Hospital of the Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7375-5951
Natalia Maria Leśniak Central Clinical Hospital of the Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0815-6554
Klaudia Martyna Patrzykąt 109 Military Hospital with Policlinic in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9440-5444
Anna Maria Zakrzewska Central Clinical Hospital of the Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8757-2274
Aleksander Midera Independent Public Healthcare Center, Brzeziny, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5809-427X
Michał Borowski Independent Public Healthcare Center, Mińsk Mazowiecki, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7316-2411
Klaudia Elżbieta Niwińska Independent Public Clinical Hospital named after Prof. W. Orłowski (CMKP), Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3648-277X
Julia Agnieszka Michalak Independent Public Healthcare Center, Kościan, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2629-7692
Monika Augustyn Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5554-8926
Kinga Popielarska Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7797-5301
Kacper Jaskulski Central Clinical Hospital of the Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1631-8058

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.5026

Keywords:

Sleep Disorders, Insomnia, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Cardiovascular Disease, Hypertension

Abstract

Background. Sleep disorders represent a heterogeneous group of conditions that impair sleep quality, duration, and architecture, leading to significant daytime dysfunction and increased global morbidity. Epidemiological data indicate that approximately 30–40% of adults experience sleep disturbances, including insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which are increasingly recognized as modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Aim. The aim of this narrative review was to synthesize current evidence on the association between sleep disorders and major cardiovascular outcomes and to identify the biological mechanisms underlying these relationships.

Material and methods. A narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, JAMA Network, OUP, and open-access repositories. Epidemiological studies, cohort studies, and meta-analyses evaluating the impact of insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing, and circadian rhythm disturbances on hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and stroke were analyzed.

Results. The reviewed evidence demonstrates that insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea are consistently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, particularly hypertension, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke. The underlying mechanisms include sympathetic nervous system overactivation, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and dysregulation of glucose and lipid metabolism.

Conclusions. Sleep disorders have great effects on the cardiovascular system and should be considered independent, modifiable risk factors for CVD. Early diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders may play a crucial role in cardiovascular disease prevention and risk reduction.

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