The potential impact of sleep duration on lipid biomarkers of cardiovascular disease

The objective of this article is to review current evidence suggesting that both short and long sleep duration are linked with lipid risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Findings from several epidemiologic studies from different countries suggest a U-shaped relationship between sleep duration and mortality. The biological mechanisms mediating the association between sleep and biomarkers of cardiovascular-related conditions are under explored, but both long and short sleep duration have been associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus and hypertension, which are common predisposing factors for cardiovascular disease. Evidence suggests that both short and long sleep durations are associated with a high serum triglyceride level or low HDL-cholesterol. The available data are suggestive but limited; therefore, further evidence, using more objective measures of sleep from well-characterized prospective cohorts, is required.