The link between sleep disturbances and heart artery disease

Disturbed sleep and atherosclerosis

NIH-funded research Old Dominion University · NIH-10974863

This study is looking at how not getting good sleep might lead to heart problems by affecting your blood vessels, and it hopes to find out if better sleep could help keep your heart healthy.

Quick facts

Grant typeR15 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOld Dominion University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Norfolk, United States)
Project IDNIH-10974863 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how poor sleep quality and sleep fragmentation may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, a condition that leads to heart disease. It explores the relationship between sleep patterns and immune system responses, particularly focusing on how disrupted sleep can affect blood vessel health and plaque formation in arteries. By examining these connections, the study aims to understand whether improving sleep quality could help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and its associated complications.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing sleep disturbances and those at risk for atherosclerosis, such as older adults or those with conditions like hypertension or diabetes.

Not a fit: Patients who have no sleep issues or those without risk factors for atherosclerosis may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating heart disease by improving sleep quality.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated a connection between sleep quality and cardiovascular health, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Norfolk, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.