Healthcare (Commonwealth Union) – Sleep is an essential component of human life, playing a critical role in maintaining physical and mental health. However, in today’s fast-paced world, many people struggle with getting adequate sleep, leading to a plethora of mental health issues.
Sleep has always been seen as a crucial component for the proper functioning of the brain. Lack of sleep impairs various cognitive functions, including attention, concentration, and memory. Studies have shown that even a single night of sleep deprivation can lead to significant declines in cognitive performance, affecting decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
A recent study conducted by Monash University has revealed that individuals with high blood pressure who also experience insufficient sleep may face a heightened risk of cognitive decline and increased brain damage.
Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the research investigated the combined impact of hypertension and short sleep duration on brain health.
The study analyzed data from 682 participants of the Framingham Heart Study who were dementia-free. Participants provided overnight sleep recordings, completed sleep duration surveys, and underwent blood pressure and cognitive evaluations. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 637 of them.
Findings showed that among those with high blood pressure, shorter sleep was linked to poorer executive functioning, as well as signs of brain damage and accelerated aging visible on MRI scans. These effects were not seen in participants with normal blood pressure.
The associations remained consistent even after accounting for genetic, clinical, and demographic factors.
Insufficient sleep—commonly defined as less than seven hours per night—was reported by 32% of participants, with an average sleep duration of seven hours across the study. Around 16% had moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, and nearly a quarter of the participants regularly used sleeping pills.
The study revealed that in people with high blood pressure, getting less sleep was linked to poorer cognitive abilities and more significant brain damage.
Researchers of the study also highlighted a connection between insufficient sleep, hypertension, and dementia, suggesting that while the exact mechanisms remain uncertain, short sleep and high blood pressure may interact to heighten the risk of cognitive decline and vascular brain injury.
Although the research was conducted in the United States, scientists believe the findings would likely be consistent in Australia.
Associate Professor Matthew Pase, from Monash University’s School of Psychological Sciences and the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, noted that short sleep duration is already recognized as a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia. He added that while short sleep has been tied to higher blood pressure, this study sheds new light on how their combined impact affects brain health.
“These findings have significance, given that over one-third of Australians experience sleep problems,” explained Associate Professor Pase. “Importantly, sleep problems and hypertension are treatable. Addressing these factors may offer new opportunities for intervention to improve brain health.”
Dr. Stephanie Yiallourou, the lead author from Monash University’s School of Psychological Sciences and the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, emphasized that screening individuals with high blood pressure for sleep deficiencies could pave the way for personalized therapies to enhance brain health and mitigate brain damage.
Dr. Yiallourou further pointed out that this group could also be prioritized for randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of sleep interventions and blood pressure-lowering treatments in preventing or delaying cognitive decline.
“The next step in this research is to explore whether the double hit of short sleep and hypertension is associated with dementia risk in the long-term,” she added.
This study was backed by an Alzheimer’s Association Grant.
