Author(s): Ferreira, Monica ; Oliveira, Mario ; Laranjo, Sergio ; Rocha, Isabel
Date: 2024
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10362/175177
Origin: Repositório Institucional da UNL
Subject(s): atrial fibrillation; cardiovascular risk; obstructive sleep apnoea; sleep disorders; Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all); Immunology and Microbiology(all); Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
Funding Information: This paper was funded by Funda\u00E7\u00E3o para a Ci\u00EAncia e a Tecnologia, reference number UIDB/00306/2020. Publisher Copyright: © 2024 by the authors.
Sleep is a complex biobehavioural process essential for overall health, with various dimensions including duration, continuity, timing, and satisfaction. This study investigated the intricate relationships between common sleep disorders such as insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and their impact on atrial fibrillation (AF), a prevalent arrhythmia with significant health implications. Using a comprehensive review of the current literature, this study examined the pathophysiological mechanisms linking sleep disorders to cardiovascular risks, focusing on autonomic nervous system disturbances, inflammation, and oxidative stress associated with OSA. These findings indicate that sleep disorders significantly elevate the risk of AF through mechanisms such as increased sympathetic activity and structural cardiac remodelling. Additionally, this study highlights the potential benefits of treating sleep disorders, particularly with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, in reducing AF recurrence and improving cardiovascular outcomes. This conclusion emphasises the importance of integrated therapeutic approaches that address both sleep disorders and AF to enhance patient outcomes and quality of life. Future research should explore these connections to develop more effective and holistic treatment strategies.
