"Insomnia and the Positive Impact of an Active Mattress on Sleep and Cardiovascular Health"
Introduction:Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. It affects approximately 10% of the population and is associated with a number of negative health outcomes, including an increased risk of death, cardiovascular events, and endothelial dysfunction (1). Endothelial dysfunction is a condition in which the endothelial cells that line the blood vessels are not able to function properly, which can lead to a variety of problems including atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and inflammation (1).
Growing evidence suggests a link between insomnia and mortality, with those who suffer from insomnia experiencing a 12% to 35% increased risk of death compared to those without insomnia (2). Retrospective data suggest a trend towards increased cardiovascular events and prospective data show an increase in cardiovascular mortality (2).
Baker et al (2019) conducted a study that found that using a special type of active mattress was able to improve endothelial function by 197% over the course of a 24-week study (3). The study was conducted in the participants' own homes, and there were no time constraints on when the participants could sleep. All participants reported sleeping better on the active mattress, which suggests that it may be able to reverse the negative effects of insomnia on endothelial function and cardiovascular health.
The active mattress works by providing gentle and constant movement throughout the night, which helps to promote deeper and more restful sleep. This, in turn, can improve endothelial function, allowing the blood vessels to function more efficiently, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Conclusion:Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that is associated with a number of negative health outcomes, including an increased risk of death, cardiovascular events, and endothelial dysfunction (1). Using an active mattress, like the one used in Baker et al's study (3), can help to improve sleep and offset the risks associated with insomnia. The active mattress works by promoting deeper and more restful sleep, which can improve endothelial function, allowing the blood vessels to function more efficiently, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (3).
References:
- Calvin, A. D., et al. "Sleep Restriction Causes Endothelial Dysfunction in Healthy Humans." American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, vol. 307, no. 2, 2014, pp. H144-H153.
- Fung, M. Y., et al. "Insomnia Symptoms Are Associated with Abnormal Endothelial Function." Sleep, vol. 37, no. 6, 2014, pp. 1107-1114
- Baker et al. "Vascular endothelial function is improved after active mattress use." Journal of Wound Care,