Interaction between Sleep Rhythm and Arrhythmia

-- Analysis Based on EEG Characteristics of Sleep in Atrial Fibrillation Patients

Abstract

A regular heart rate is a critical indicator of human health. However, when the heart's rhythm or rate deviates from the norm due to various factors, an arrhythmia occurs. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent form of arrhythmia, with its incidence tripling over the past 50 years. Studies have shown a strong correlation between sleep disorders and the onset of atrial fibrillation. Most current studies on the sleep quality of atrial fibrillation patients rely on subjective sleep questionnaires, with a notable lack of objective sleep assessments. This study utilizes data from the public database "The Stanford Technology Analytics and Genomics in Sleep (STAGES)" to identify atrial fibrillation patients, matching them with a healthy control group to analyze sleep characteristics and influencing factors. The study found that, compared to the healthy control group, atrial fibrillation patients exhibited significantly lower total sleep time and deep sleep duration, alongside increased wakefulness after sleep onset. Correlation analysis indicated an inverse relationship between body mass index (BMI) and total sleep time in patients with atrial fibrillation. To further validate these findings, a decision tree model was employed to elucidate the relationships between various sleep indicators and the incidence of atrial fibrillation, along with the relative weights of different risk factors. The model results suggest that the most significant predictor of atrial fibrillation occurrence is reduced stage 1 sleep, followed by increased wakefulness during sleep and elevated body mass index. These findings indicate that atrial fibrillation patients generally have poor sleep quality, and elevated body mass index further exacerbates sleep disturbances, thereby increasing disease risk. The above conclusions suggest that healthcare providers and family members should monitor the sleep patterns and body mass index of atrial fibrillation patients, encouraging a balanced diet and regular exercise.