Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of premature death and disability worldwide. Metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and smoking are among the major risk factors for CVDs. However, the impact and causal role of these established risk factors vary across different major CVDs, and their predictive power is limited. Therefore, the identification of novel risk factors is essential.
Sleep an important factor
Although psychosocial and sleep-related problems are common, their role in the development of specific CVDs and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Our previous research based on Swedish cohorts and Mendelian randomization analysis has suggested that short and long sleep duration, sleep-disordered breathing, or sleep disturbances are linked to cardiometabolic risk factors, such as metabolic syndrome and its components, and several CVDs. In addition, we have shown that experiencing intense emotions like anger is associated with an increased risk of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and CVD mortality.
A multi-disciplinary approach that integrates traditional medical epidemiology with globally leading techniques such as Mendelian randomization, proteomics, metabolomics, and machine learning may offer novel insights into the role and mechanisms underlying the link between sleep, psychosocial factors, and specific CVDs.
New insights into the underlying mechanisms of CVD development
This project aims to clarify whether and how sleep and psychosocial factors are linked to the risk of specific incident CVDs and to explore the potential mechanisms using proteomics and metabolomics data. In addition, Mendelian randomization methods will be applied to investigate if the identified associations represent causal relationships. Such a comprehensive approach will offer novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of CVD development, enhance better risk stratification, and may identify novel targets for early interventions against CVDs.
