A large-scale study revealed that individuals who compensated for weekday sleep deficits with additional sleep on weekends significantly reduced their risk of cardiovascular disease. The research was presented at ESC Congress 2024.
In the study, investigators from the State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Centre for Cardiovascular Disease in Beijing, China, used the UK Biobank to examine the data of 90,903 participants over a median follow-up period of approximately 14 years.
Participants were divided into quartiles based on their level of compensatory weekend sleep, ranging from –16.05 to +16.06 hours. Sleep data was collected using accelerometers, with sleep deprivation defined as self-reported sleep of less than 7 hours per night. Cardiovascular outcomes were assessed using hospitalization records and cause of death registry information, focusing on ischemic heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke.
The investigators found that participants who had the highest levels of compensatory sleep on weekends had a 19% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared with those who had the lowest levels of compensatory sleep. This risk reduction increased to 20% in a subgroup of participants who reported chronic sleep deprivation.
Of the total cohort, 21.8% (n = 19,816) of the participants met the criteria for sleep deprivation. No significant differences in outcomes were observed between men and women.
"Sufficient compensatory sleep is linked to a lower risk of [cardiovascular] disease. The association becomes even more pronounced among individuals who regularly experience inadequate sleep on weekdays," emphasized co–study author Yanjun Song.
The investigators noted that modern lifestyles often led to sleep disruption and deprivation as a result of work or school schedules. This study provided evidence on the practice of "catching up" on sleep during weekends.
The investigators acknowledged potential limitations, including the self-reporting of sleep deprivation and the possibility that non–sleep-deprived participants may have experienced occasional inadequate sleep without meeting the study's criteria for sleep deprivation.
These findings suggested that health care providers could consider discussing sleep patterns with patients, particularly those at risk for cardiovascular disease. Encouraging compensatory sleep on weekends or days off may be a strategy for addressing the cardiovascular risks associated with chronic sleep deprivation.
The study indicated that further research could help determine the optimal amount of compensatory sleep and explore potential mechanisms underlying the observed risk reduction. Additionally, longitudinal studies could help elucidate the long-term effects of compensatory sleep patterns on cardiovascular health.
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.