The link between cardiovascular health and sleep is beyond compelling and is probably the most researched topic related to sleep health. This has taken on greater meaning as studies show the cardiovascular health of all age groups is declining. Recently, the American Heart Association added Sleep Health to its 'Essential 8'--a collection of the meaningful steps individuals can take to improve their cardiovascular health and outcomes. But what constitutes the relationship between sleep health and cardiovascular health?  In this episode, we will:Introduce the American Heart Association's Essential 8, and how sleep health not only factors into the list, but directly affects the other seven items.Trace the long history of sleep being associated with coronary artery disease.Explore the relationship between sleep and stroke riskUnderstand the mechanisms of increased atherosclerotic plaque burden in people getting inadequate sleepLearn about the relationship between inadequate sleep and  elevated blood pressure/"non-dipping," and how sleep extension may improve those measurementsCharacterize the increased risk or arrhythmias in patients with sleep=related breathing disorders and their underlying mechanismsProbe the link between inadequate sleep and systemic inflammation and how these changes can be permanentTouch upon the topic of poor sleep and impaired glucose homeostasisConclude with looking at the confusing relationship between insomnia and cardiovascular diseaseProduced by: Maeve WinterMore Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!