Understanding Heart Health in Narcolepsy
As part of Sleep Awareness Week®, we welcome the contributions and perspectives of our sponsors. National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recognizes our Sleep Awareness Week 2023 Sponsors for their support of our sleep health mission and notes the information provided below does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of NSF.
As a long-time leader in sleep medicine, Jazz has been at the forefront of providing therapies and support for people living with serious, debilitating neurologic disorders. People with sleep disorders live with complex and severe conditions, which few understand. We are committed to ongoing innovation with their needs in mind, and we are proud to support National Sleep Foundation’s 25th Annual Sleep Awareness Week.
Research has shown that clinicians and patients are unaware that people living with narcolepsy are also at an increased risk of cardiovascular comorbidities, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes.[1],[2],[3],[4] In fact, people living with narcolepsy are two-to-three times more likely to have a stroke or heart attack than the general population.[1],[2]
It is important to Jazz that people diagnosed with narcolepsy are able to understand these risks. High levels of sodium can affect heart health, so narcolepsy patients should understand where they may be consuming sodium, such as in food, beverages and some medications.[5],[6] Focusing on the holistic health of the patient is a priority at Jazz, and we are thankful for the opportunity that Sleep Awareness Week provides us to raise awareness of the challenges faced by those living with narcolepsy, and how to address them. Learn more at www.morethantired.com.
A Word from the National Sleep Foundation
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. People with narcolepsy may wake up in the morning feeling well-rested, but they’re unable to sustain that alertness throughout the day. As a result, people with narcolepsy often feel excessively fatigued and frequently fall asleep during daytime hours, even when they’re engaged in conversation, work, or other activities. Click here to find out more from NSF about narcolepsy.
References
[1] Black J, Reaven NL, Funk SE, et al. Medical comorbidity in narcolepsy: findings from the Burden of Narcolepsy Disease (BOND) study. Sleep Med. 2017;33:13-18.
[2] Ohayon MM. Narcolepsy is complicated by high medical and psychiatric comorbidities: a comparison with the general population. Sleep Med. 2013;14(6):488-492.
[3] Cohen A, Mandrekar J, St Louis EK, Silber MH, Kotagal S. Comorbidities in a community sample of narcolepsy. Sleep Med. 2018;43:14-18.
[4] Jennum P, Ibsen R, Knudsen S, Kjellberg J. Comorbidity and mortality of narcolepsy: a controlled retro- and prospective national study. Sleep. 2013;36(6):835-840.
[5] Perrin G, Korb-Savoldelli V, Karras A, Danchin N, Durieux P, Sabatier B. Cardiovascular risk associated with high sodium-containing drugs: A systematic review. PLoS One. 2017;12(7):e0180634. Published 2017 Jul 6.
[6] Quader ZS, Zhao L, Gillespie C, et al. Sodium intake among persons aged ≥2 years — United States, 2013–2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017;66:324–238.