Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Share By
Optimal Sleep Duration for Cardiovascular Prevention in Eastern Mediterranean Populations: Insights From a Prospective Cohort Study Publisher Pubmed



Habibi D ; Naeini MK ; Javanmard SH ; Mohamadifard N ; Hassannejad R ; Rafiei T ; Najafian J ; Akbarzadeh M ; Marateb HR ; Mansourian M ; Mananas MA ; Sarrafzadegan N
Authors

Source: BMC Cardiovascular Disorders Published:2026


Abstract

Introduction: There is a complex relationship between sleep duration and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to identify sleep duration trajectories in a healthy population and examine their associations with incident cardiovascular disease (CVDs) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Methods: This prospective population-based cohort study included 5,432 participants free of cardiovascular disease at baseline (2001–2013). The associations between sleep duration trajectories and CVD risk were analyzed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Cubic and restricted cubic spline models were applied to identify the optimal sleep duration associated with the lowest CVD risk and to examine the shape of the relationship between total daily sleep duration and CVD hazard ratios. Results: We observed a U-shaped association between total daily sleep duration and incident CVD after adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and health status. Compared with individuals sleeping below 5 h, adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for CVD were as follows: 5–6 h (HR = 0.930, 95%CI: 0.70–1.22, p-value = 0.61), 6–7 h (HR = 0.772, 95%CI: 0.59–0.99, p-value = 0.04), 7–8 h (HR = 0.764, 95%CI: 0.60–0.97, p-value = 0.03), 8–9 h (HR = 0.701, 95%CI: 0.53–0.91, p-value = 0.01), 9–10 h (HR = 0.755, 95%CI: 0.54–1.05, p-value = 0.10], and > 10 h (HR = 0.816, 95%CI: 0.54–1.22, p-value = 0.01). According to the results of the cubic spline curves, the lowest risk was identified at a sleep duration of 8.38 h. Conclusions: The internationally recommended sleep duration may not be ideal for Middle Eastern populations. In this Iranian cohort, approximately 8.4 h of total daily sleep was associated with the lowest CVD risk. © The Author(s) 2025.
Related Docs
View other Related Docs
1. Association of Estimated Sleep Duration and Naps With Mortality and Cardiovascular Events: A Study of 116 632 People From 21 Countries, European Heart Journal (2019)
2. Prevalence of Short and Long Sleep Duration: Ravansar Noncommunicable Disease (Rancd) Cohort Study, BMC public health (2022)
3. Association Between Sleep Duration and Electrocardiographic Ischemic Changes in Middle-Aged Population: Isfahan Healthy Heart Program, ARYA Atherosclerosis (2018)
Experts (# of related papers)
View all Related Experts
Roya Kelishadi (5)
Jamshid Najafian (4)
Other Related Docs
4. The Association of Sleep Duration and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in a National Sample of Children and Adolescents: The Caspian Iii Study, Nutrition (2013)
5. Association Between Sleep Duration and Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference, Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences (2010)
6. Association Between Sleep Duration and Diabetes Mellitus: Isfahan Healthy Heart Program, Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice (2013)
7. Predictors of Poor Sleep Quality in Heart Failure Patients: A Cross-Sectional Multivariable Analysis of Clinical, Demographic, and Psychosocial Factors, Journal of Research in Health Sciences (2025)
8. Comparison of Sleep Quantity in Patients With Chronic Diseases: Results From a Population-Based Study, Sleep and Vigilance (2022)
9. Association Between Sleep Duration and Hypertension: Isfahan Healthy Heart Program, Iran, ARYA Atherosclerosis (2019)
10. Association of Bedtime With Mortality and Major Cardiovascular Events: An Analysis of 112,198 Individuals From 21 Countries in the Pure Study, Sleep Medicine (2021)
11. The Association Between Vitamin D Status and Sleep Duration in School-Aged Children; the Caspian-V Study, Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders (2023)
12. Life-Course Effects of Sleep on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Integrated Science (2022)
13. Association Between Sleep Duration and Hypertension Incidence: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies, PLoS ONE (2024)
14. The Association of Sleep Duration and Quality With Heart Rate Variability and Blood Pressure, Tanaffos (2020)
15. Association of Sleep Duration With Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components in Children and Adolescents; a Propensity Score-Matched Analysis: The Caspian-V Study, Diabetology and Metabolic Syndrome (2018)
16. Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Impacts of Sleep Disturbances in Patients With Primary Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review, Neurosurgical Review (2025)
17. Association Between Dietary Phytochemical Index, Inflammation and Oxidative Stress With Sleep Duration and Sleep Quality in Iranian Adults, Scientific Reports (2026)
18. Evaluation of the Relationship Between Sleep Quality and Duration With Obesity in a Population of Iranian Adults, Journal of Health System Research (2020)
19. Dietary Insulinemic Potential, Sleep Quality and Quantity in Iranian Adults: Yazd Health Study and Tamyz Study, BMC Nutrition (2023)
20. Sleep Quality in Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Contributing Factors and Effects on Health-Related Quality of Life, International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases (2016)