Our recent findings highlight the need to prioritize multidimensional sleep health in clinical contexts with the goal of improving cardiovascular and metabolic health. The American Heart Association (AHA) has called for a more comprehensive approach to sleep health, one that goes far beyond the type of prescription pad pharmaceutical solutions. This broad perspective recognizes the dynamic role that sleep plays across the health continuum in the pursuit of far-reaching health effects.
Augusto Cesar Ferriera De Moraes, assistant professor of epidemiology at UTHealth Houston. He focuses on the need to tackle sleep health from multiple angles. He adds, “Multidimensional sleep health should be considered more in clinical practice. A systematic review of 336 studies corroborates this view. For the first time, it shows significant links with other sleep health factors and overall heart health.
Sleep health consists of a multitude of factors such as timing, regularity, continuity, and daytime functioning. Just tracking hours of sleep likely isn’t enough to give you a full picture of your sleep health. De Moraes explains that “by addressing these components, healthcare providers can better identify and manage risks associated with poor sleep, leading to more comprehensive patient care.”
The AHA’s policy statement is evidence of this shifting paradigm, departing from the assumption that “more sleep is good.” Sustained sleep is critical. With AHA scientific expert, Christopher Berg. He supplements that to say what’s really important in this multidimensional model is the timing, regularity, continuity, and subjective sense of how well-rested we are during the day.
If you want to see better sleep quality, De Moraes suggests keeping a regular sleep schedule, even on the weekends. An ideal sleep environment would be cool, dark and quiet, he advises. His recommendation is to avoid screens and bright lights as you approach bedtime. To improve sleep quality, he recommends establishing a routine of regular exercise, but be careful to finish your workout well before bedtime.
Circadian misalignment, or disruption of circadian rhythms, may contribute to poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness. As De Moraes explains, these rhythms are the driver behind regulating energy levels across the day-night cycle — or circadian rhythm. For millions suffering from sleep disorders like sleep apnea, diagnosing these conditions is key to better overall sleep health.
“Improving sleep quality, timing, and regularity through behavioral strategies or environmental changes can enhance the effectiveness of existing therapies and may reduce the need for additional medications,” adds Berg. Together, this holistic approach maximizes the positive impact on heart health. It addresses sleep health disparities rooted in socioeconomic conditions.
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