Abstract
Abstract Introduction Sleep quality is a critical determinant of cardiovascular health, and its influence on blood pressure regulation has been extensively explored. However, there remains a notable gap in research concerning the relationship between sleep fragmentation and blood pressure among Black in a naturalistic setting. Methods A total of 195 Black adult participants (75% Female; mean age 48 years) were enrolled in the NIH-funded ESSENTIAL and MOSAIC studies and underwent a 7-day home-based sleep study. Sleep fragmentation, a key variable of interest, was quantified using SleepImage ring devices, which amalgamate various cardiopulmonary disturbance metrics into a comprehensive Sleep Fragmentation score. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was measured six times during the study using the iHealth BP monitor, and the average DBP was employed in our subsequent analyses. Our research approach encompassed t-tests and correlation matrices to explore the associations between DBP and a wide array of factors, including sociodemographic characteristics, cardiovascular disease risk diagnosis, age, sleep fragmentation, psychosocial factors, and health behaviors. Results The results of our regression analysis revealed several important findings. Age exhibited a small positive coefficient but was not statistically significant, indicating a weak association with DBP. Depression, while displaying a positive coefficient, was marginally significant (p = 0.056), suggesting a potential moderate impact on DBP. Similarly, alcohol consumption exhibited a positive coefficient, marginally significant (p = 0.051), implying a potential moderate effect on DBP. However, the most striking finding was the robust association between sleep fragmentation and DBP. Sleep fragmentation exhibited a positive coefficient (B = 0.303) and was statistically significant (p = 0.005), firmly establishing it as the strongest independent predictor of diastolic blood pressure among Black adults. Conclusion This study contributes valuable insights into the relationship between sleep fragmentation and diastolic blood pressure among Black individuals, in a real-world context. Our findings underscore the significance of addressing sleep quality and fragmentation as a potential modifiable risk factor in cardiovascular health management, particularly within Black communities. Further research in this area may have implications for targeted interventions and strategies to mitigate the adverse cardiovascular effects of sleep fragmentation among at-risk populations. Support (if any) NIH R01HL142066 and R01AG067523