Sleep is emerging as a powerful yet underestimated ally in cardiovascular care, according to a landmark review published in Menopause.
The new research underscores that sleep quality isn’t just about rest — it’s a key predictor of heart health, particularly during the menopause transition phase.
The research, involving nearly 3000 women tracked during two decades, found that poor sleep during the menopause transition was linked to higher risks of long-term effects of heart health conditions, particularly when combined with high blood pressure and nicotine use.
The research further revealed that only 21% of midlife women in the study achieved optimal cardiovascular health scores using the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) tool.
Sleep quality ranked alongside blood glucose, blood pressure and nicotine use as the most important predictors of future heart health.
On average, seven to nine hours of sleep may contribute positively to women's heart health and longevity, as per the review.
According to Australia’s leading integrative cardiologist and Kaneka Ubiquinol Scientific Advisory Board Member, Dr Ross Walker, the study solidifies the huge role that sleep plays as a factor in cardiovascular health prevention.
“We have long focussed on diet and exercise in cardiovascular prevention, but this study shows sleep is just as critical, especially during the menopause transition,” Dr Walker explained.
The period when a woman transitions to menopause marks a key time when a woman’s body undergoes complex hormonal shifts alongside changes to fat distribution and lipid metabolism, which may increase cardiovascular health risk.
This, coupled with significant cellular changes, can impact their mitochondrial health.
The heart is the most energy-demanding organ in the body and depends on mitochondria to generate the energy needed for optimal function.
Mitochondrial health is supported by compounds produced in the body, such as Ubiquinol.
Ubiquinol plays a key role in energy production and maintaining oxidative balance in cells.
From around the age of 20, the natural Ubiquinol levels in the body begin to decline, a process accelerated by factors such as oxidative stress and hormonal shifts, potentially impacting cardiovascular resilience.
“Without healthy mitochondria, our hearts simply can’t function at their optimum,” added Dr Walker.
“This makes supporting our mitochondrial function not just an add-on, but a vital component of preventative cardiovascular care, particularly for women in the menopause stage.”
The findings come as the World Economic Forum warns that women’s health remains chronically underfunded and under-researched relative to their health burden.
Conditions such as menopause account for a significant share of the women’s health burden but received less than 1% of cumulative research funding between 2019 and 2023.
Addressing these inequities could unlock $1t in annual global GDP by 2040, alongside substantial quality-of-life gains.
In Australia, the government’s National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030 names healthy ageing as the second of its five priority areas, recognising the importance of enabling women to live longer, healthier lives with quality and independence.
This national priority highlights the need to address cardiovascular health risks early, including modifiable lifestyle factors such as sleep, to improve health outcomes for women as they age.
The research also echoes the principles of the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030), a global collaboration aimed at improving the lives of older people, their families and communities.
“By elevating the role of sleep in cardiovascular health and pairing it with proven lifestyle measures such as balanced nutrition, physical activity, blood pressure control, smoking cessation and nutritional support where necessary, women can take decisive steps towards maintaining vitality and independence as they age,” said Dr Walker.
This year's World Heart Day falls on September 29th, with the theme being "Don't Miss a Beat".
It aims to increase public awareness of cardiovascular diseases, including their prevention and their global impact.
Dr Walker's message for the campaign is clear: women’s heart health is not a niche issue, but a public health and economic imperative.
“We now have compelling evidence that sleep belongs at the top of the checklist for long-term heart health,” he said.
“Recognising and addressing the gender gap in cardiovascular care will help ensure women enter later life with well-supported, healthier hearts.”