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Session Schedule

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0:00:00
Introduction

0:01:00
The social and environmental determinants of women's sleep health
Dayna Johnson (United States)

0:24:20
Cardiovascular consequences of sleep disruption: Worse for women?
Naima Covassin (United States)

0:46:25
Pregnancy-related cardiovascular disease and obstructive sleep apnea
Snigdha Pusalavidyasagar (United States)

1:06:15
Sleep disruption and autonomic imbalance in women: Pathophysiology, clinical implications and therapeutic strategies
Helga Margrét Skúladóttir (Iceland)

1:23:40
Question and answer

Summary

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death of women worldwide (Mehta, 2023), with a prevalence of CVD ranging from 17% in younger women to higher than 50% in older women (Benjamin, 2019). Recent studies report associations between women’s sleep patterns and sleep disorders with their cardiovascular health. Sleep disorders, including insomnia, hypersomnia, and restless legs syndrome, are more common in women compared to men. The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea increases during pregnancy and menopause. Despite this increased risk, sleep disorders in women are often underdiagnosed and untreated, leading to health inequities and poor outcomes (Lin, 2009). Social and environmental determinants also impact women’s sleep, with an increased impact on women of color, furthering health inequities and disparities (Johnson, 2024).

Hormonal changes across women’s lifespan (menstruation, pregnancy, menopause) can affect women’s sleep quantity and quality and can contribute to a wide range of sleep disorders (Pusalavidyasagar, 2018) and an increase in women’s CVD risk. Sleep disruption, insomnia and OSA are linked to increased sympathetic activity, altered chemo and baroreceptor activity, increased inflammation and increased endothelial dysfunction, all contributing to CVD pathophysiology (Somers 2008, Kiss, 2024). For example, during pregnancy, several studies reported the association of OSA with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HTP), including gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and eclampsia. HTP are also associated with peripartum cardiomyopathy, which accounts for over 20% of deaths in the postpartum period.

This session will provide an overview of the latest actionable research on how women’s sleep affects heart health with a focus on the underlying mechanisms that contribute to women’s increased risk for cardiovascular disease related morbidity and mortality. We will also review strategies for risk factor modification along with cardiovascular and sleep medicine treatment interventions that may decrease risk and improve outcomes for women across their lifespan.