Having Recurrent Bad Dreams? New Study Finds It Could Be a Sign of Cardiovascular Disease
A new study suggests that recurring nightmares are independently associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
In findings that researchers describe as "surprising," results from a comprehensive study of military veterans presented those who experienced nightmares twice or thrice each week had an increased risk of high blood pressure, myocardial infarction, or other heart conditions.
According to Christi Ulmer, Ph.D., a Duke University Medical Center assistant professor, a diagnosis of PTSD integrates sleep disruption as a synonym.
As a result, the study authors were surprised to find that nightmares continue to be linked to cardiovascular disease following control of, not just for post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD and demographic aspects, but diagnosis for smoking and depression, as well.
These research findings were presented during Virtual SLEEP 2020, the Associated Professional Sleep Societies' yearly meeting.
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Frequency of Occurrences of Nightmare
The study investigated more than 3,400 veterans comprising of about 77-percent males with a mean age of 38 years who had served one to two tours of duty since 2001.
Also, almost 31 percent of the respondents met the criteria for PTSD. In comparison, 33 percent were said to have "self-reported" experiencing at least one heart condition like hypertension.
The frequency and severity of nightmares were examined utilizing the Davidson Trauma Scale. Relatively, nightmares were regarded frequently if their occurrences were twice or more each week and moderate-to-severe if such occurrences were at least discreetly troubling.
Roughly 31 percent of veterans reported experiencing recurrent nightmares, and 35 percent said they were having disturbing nightmares for the past week.
Following adjustments in age, sex, and race, frequent nightmares were linked to high blood pressure, heart conditions, and MI.
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The Link Between Nightmares and Heart Problems
The link between frequent high blood pressure and heart conditions remained substantial following further adjustment for smoking, depression, and PTSD.
Ulmer explained in a news release that their cross-sectional findings set the stage for future studies that investigate the probability that nightmares may confer CVD risks beyond those convened by diagnosis for PTSD solely.
The assistant professor also explained since the research was based on "self-reported data," such results are relatively introductory.
Before the doctors adjust clinical practices, Ulmer added, such results must be duplicated utilizing "longitudinal studies, clinically-detected medical conditions, and objectively investigated sleep."
She also said that more studies are needed to reveal mechanisms that explain such associations and identify if lowering the frequency and severity of nightmares can result in improved heart health.
Nightmares Due to the Pandemic
Commenting on the study, Los Angeles-based University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine's Rajkumar Dasgupta, MD, noted that presently, "The link between nightmares and heart problems" is a timely topic with the pandemic as more people may be experiencing nightmares.
Dasgupta, who was not part of the study, added, if an individual mentions a nightmare, he does not think it is wise to "glaze over it," rather, discuss it and record it in the patient's record.
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