Introduction
Sleep deprivation (SD) is known to be
associated with an increased incidence of adverse
cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in humans.
1,2 Several experimental and epidemiologic
studies reported that short sleep duration has been
associated with increased risk for hypertension,3
diabetes,4 increased body mass index,5 alterations
in blood lipids levels,6 and inflammatory markers7—
all factors known to increase the risk of
cardiovascular disease.8 In addition, short sleep
duration increases activity of the sympathetic