The study revealed that immune cells are quickly mobilizing to the brain after a heart attack, aiding in deep sleep to reduce inflammation in the heart. This finding, published in the journal Nature on October 30, suggests the potential benefits of adequate sleep and rest in the recovery process post-heart attack.
Researchers at the University of Colorado suggest that the findings are not limited to cardiovascular diseases, as the body naturally craves longer sleep for healing after any injury. The link between sleep and heart health has long been recognized, with insomnia increasing the risk of hypertension. However, the impact of heart diseases on sleep has been less explored.
In experiments involving inducing heart attacks in mice, scientists observed increased time spent in deep sleep stages associated with tissue healing. The accumulation of immune cells known as monocytes in the brain following a heart attack, producing the TNF protein, was found to be crucial in prompting additional sleep.
Further experiments confirmed the role of monocytes in promoting extra sleep after heart attacks, with TNF acting as a signal for sleep and influencing brain cells. Interfering with this process led to increased inflammation in both the brain and heart, highlighting the significance of deep sleep in recovery.
Dream as a path to recovery
Analysis of patients with acute coronary syndrome revealed that those experiencing poor sleep in the weeks following an attack faced higher risks of subsequent heart issues compared to those with restful sleep. As a result, experts recommend emphasizing the importance of quality sleep for heart attack patients and minimizing disruptions to their sleep during hospital stays.