Sleep and cardiovascular regulation

Abstract

Normal sleep has a profound effect on the cardiovascular system, reducing cardiovascular activity throughout non-rapid eye movement sleep; changes that are modified and augmented by circadian system influence. There is also evidence that sleep-initiated changes in autonomic balance may in turn modify the development of sleep within a night, particularly the development of slow wave sleep. It is assumed that the cardiovascular changes that accompany sleep reflect a functional aspect of sleep, although the precise functional role has not been agreed upon. Nevertheless, there is good evidence that the cardiovascular changes that occur during normal sleep are beneficial for the cardiovascular system. Arousals from sleep, which are common even in normal sleep, are associated with a surge in activity in cardiorespiratory systems, with marked effects on the sleep-related pattern of cardiovascular activity when they occur frequently. Despite the importance of this aspect of sleep, controversy remains as to both the nature of the activation response and the circumstances under which it is elicited. The concept that sleep-related changes in cardiovascular activity are beneficial leads to the corollary that sleep disturbance would result in adverse cardiovascular consequences. While there is strong empirical evidence for such a relationship, it remains unclear whether this is a direct effect or, as has been suggested recently, the effect of disturbed sleep is mediated via stress-related modification of neuroendocrine systems.

Autonomic activity during sleep predicts memory consolidation in humans

“…Additionally, the interactions between medial PFC and the hippocampus during offline consolidation periods seem to play a critical role in the integration and reorganization of new information into preexisting knowledge networks (66). Further, during REM sleep, there is an increase in overall cardiac autonomic activity (24) accompanied by an increase in central control of cardiac regulatory patterns compared with NREM sleep (67). This pattern of activity leads us to speculate that central or peripheral conditions that affect HRV may also influence memory consolidation during sleep, and HF HRV may be an index of these processes.…”

“…Prior studies have established that parasympathetic/vagal activity is associated with the high-frequency component of HRV [HF HRV; 0.15-0.40 Hz (23)]. During SWS sleep, studies have reported a reduced heart rate (i.e., a lengthening of RR intervals) coupled with a reduction in overall cardiac ANS activity and a dominance of parasympathetic/vagal activity (HF HRV) compared with wake and REM (24). In addition, REM sleep shows both greater total ANS activity and higher parasympathetic/vagal activity compared with wake and SWS sleep (25).…”

Autonomic Regulation in Musculoskeletal Pain

“…The enhancement of parasympathetic (vagal) activation during sleep is dependent on a variety of factors, for example changes in physical activity and light, circadian biological rhythms, and coupling between sleep mechanisms and cardiovascular regulation (Trinder et al 2012). The relationship between sleep and autonomic activity is bidirectional.…”

“…During normal sleep, the cardiovascular system can exhibit brief periods of distinct activation, i.e., arousals, reflecting changes in autonomic regulation. However, poor sleep may result in a higher frequency and amplitude of nocturnal arousals, and vice versa, and in such circumstances, altered autonomic balance can be expected (Trinder et al 2012). …”

Smart Device for the Determination of Heart Rate Variability in Real Time

“…In addition, respiratory muscle strength has been related to the sympathetic-vagal response, which can be evaluated by HRV [13]. Other applications of HRV range from the early biomarker for the evaluation of diabetes mellitus progress [14], and diagnostic marker in chronic neck pain [15], to mental and physical health [16], or sleep quality [17], and work stress [18], among others.…”