A night without sleep is a step towards a heart attack: scientists have uncovered the mechanism

Sleep deprivation isn't just a nuisance - it's a real threat to the heart. And now scientists know why. A new study has shown: just three nights with four hours of sleep - and there are changes in the blood associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Thestudy was conducted at Uppsala University in Sweden. It involved 16 young healthy men. They spent several days in a laboratory where everything was strict: food, light, activity - everything was under control.

They were offered two scenarios: in one they slept for 8.5 hours three nights in a row, and in the other they slept for 4.25 hours. After each sleep period, the participants pedalled on an exercise bike and had blood tests taken before and after the exertion.

What did the analyses show?

The researchers tested nearly 90 proteins that are produced in the blood. Of particular interest were inflammatory markers - molecules that are activated when the body encounters disease or stress. They can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart failure, ischaemia and rhythm disturbances.

It turned out that after three nights of poor sleep, levels of these "harmful" proteins were significantly increased. What's more, the usual benefits of sport - such as the production of the beneficial protein interleukin-6 or BDNF (which helps the heart and brain) - were noticeably weaker after sleep deprivation.

Even in the young and healthy

Most alarmingly, all of the changes were observed in young and healthy people. Only three nights of poor sleep - and the body has already started to "break down". And after all, millions of adults sleep poorly on a regular basis, especially those who work night shifts or are too keen on social networks in the evenings.

Incidentally, the point in time was also important. Protein levels in the blood differed in the morning and evening - and this was particularly dependent on whether the person had slept well or not. That is, lack of sleep not only affects blood composition, but also when the changes manifest themselves.

What is all this about?

The modern rhythm of life often pushes us to sleep less: work, entertainment, TV series. But the body does not forgive this attitude. It silently records every sleepless night - at the level of chemistry. And sooner or later will present the bill.

So if next time you want to postpone sleep for the sake of procrastination or an evening marathon in TikTok - remember that your heart needs 7-8 hours of rest no less than in training or proper nutrition.