Overview

• Researchers from Uppsala University conducted a controlled trial showing that three nights of severe sleep restriction raised inflammatory biomarkers tied to cardiovascular risk in healthy young men.
• The study isolated sleep deprivation’s effects by controlling diet and activity and found significant elevations in proteins associated with inflammation and heart disease, such as coronary artery disease and heart failure.
• Exercise under sleep-deprived conditions still increased some protective cardiovascular proteins but also imposed additional strain on heart muscle cells, suggesting limited mitigation of sleep loss effects.
• The findings highlight that acute sleep deprivation triggers early molecular changes linked to long-term cardiac risks, even in young, healthy individuals with no pre-existing conditions.
• Researchers call for expanded studies including women, older adults, and individuals with existing heart conditions to refine prevention strategies and integrate sleep hygiene into cardiovascular health guidelines.