Overview

• A study from Uppsala University in Sweden reveals that just three nights of restricted sleep significantly increase blood proteins linked to heart disease risk.
• The research shows that sleep deprivation causes a rise in inflammatory markers, which can damage blood vessels and contribute to conditions like heart failure and coronary artery disease.
• The study involved 16 healthy young men in a controlled lab setting, where sleep, diet, activity levels, and light exposure were carefully regulated.
• Findings indicate that exercise typically boosts healthy proteins, but this effect is weakened after poor sleep, suggesting limited recovery benefits under sleep-deprived conditions.
• Researchers emphasize the need for further studies to explore how these findings apply to women, older individuals, and those with pre-existing heart conditions or different sleep patterns.