Sleep Quality and Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular diseases claim nearly 2,500 lives daily in the United States [1]. In middle-to-high-income countries, heart disease and stroke remain among the top five causes of death. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need to prioritize cardiovascular health. Sleep, for instance, plays a profound yet often overlooked role in heart health.

Poor Sleep Quality and Cardiovascular Disease

A Dutch prospective cohort study of 20,432 men with no prior cardiovascular disease found that those who slept ≤6 hours per night with poor sleep quality had a 79% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease after adjusting for risk factors, compared to those sleeping >7 hours nightly [2]. Disrupted sleep duration and quality are recognized risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, with chronic endocrine stress response being a key contributor.

chronic endocrine stress response

Studies reveal that after just 3-4 hours of nightly sleep for just a few nights, subjects develop severe hormonal imbalances: morning cortisol levels drop by ~30%, while afternoon cortisol surges by ~40%. This aberrant stress response elevates heart rate, reduces heart rate variability, raises blood pressure, and increases catecholamine secretion—all risk factors or correlates of coronary artery disease (CAD). Clinically, patients often report feeling exhausted upon waking but paradoxically energetic at night, creating a vicious cycle of sleep resistance and endocrine chaos.

TCM Regulation of "Nutritive-Defensive Qi" for Insomnia

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) flows outward from the internal organs to the body surface during the day, providing protection, warmth, and alertness. At dusk, it returns inward to nourish and stabilize the organs. When individuals resist sleep at night, this inward flow weakens, depleting Wei Qi and perpetuating nocturnal hyperactivity. Consequently, morning symptoms like cold intolerance, fatigue, and susceptibility to infections emerge—a pattern mirroring modern observations of endocrine dysfunction.

TCM Herbs and Acupuncture for Insomnia

TCM treatments align with the circadian rhythm of Wei Qi. Herbal formulas and acupuncture aim to "harmonize Qi flow", nourishing and protecting the organs. For heart health, TCM attributes cognitive and perceptual functions to the "Shen (Mind)", governed by the Heart organ. Core strategies include:Calming the Shen, strengthening Heart Qi, and supporting with Qi-regulating, heat-clearing, or damp-resolving agents.

These approaches often resolve intertwined symptoms—insomnia, morning fatigue, and nighttime agitation—with encouraging results. However, treatment duration may extend when addressing unresolved emotional stress, chronic psychological strain, or social factors.

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參考文獻：[1]Martin, S. S., Aday, A. W., Allen, N. B., Almarzooq, Z. I., Anderson, C. A., Arora, P., ... & American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Committee. (2025). 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association. Circulation.

[2]. Hoevenaar-Blom MP, Spijkerman AMW, Kromhout D, van den Berg JF, Verschuren WMM. Sleep Duration and Sleep Quality in Relation to 12-Year Cardiovascular Disease Incidence: The MORGEN Study. Sleep. 2011;34:1487–92.