Sleep Disturbances and Their Impact on Clinical, Instrumental and Laboratory Parameters in Men Aged 30–60 Years During the Early Post-Myocardial Infarction Period

Background: Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction (MI) account for over 9 million deaths annually. Sleep disturbances are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. However, sleep architecture during the first few days after MI remains insufficiently studied, particularly in patients with single-vessel disease following percutaneous coronary intervention. While obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been widely investigated, the significance of sleep fragmentation, circadian rhythm disruption, and actigraphic patterns remains unclear. Objective: To assess sleep architecture and sleep quality in men aged 30–60 years during the early post-MI period (days 3–5) following percutaneous coronary intervention for single-vessel coronary artery disease, using computerized polysomnography, respiratory polygraphy, and actigraphy, and to identify associations among polysomnographic, actigraphic, psychological, and clinical laboratory parameters. Materials and methods: This prospective observational study included 22 men (mean age of 48.2 ± 8.1 years) with confirmed MI (inferior/anterior) who had undergone successful percutaneous coronary intervention. Assessments included computerized polysomnography, respiratory polygraphy, actigraphy, electrocardiography, echocardiography, laboratory testing (troponin I, NT-proBNP, cortisol, lipid profile, C-reactive protein), and psychological assessments (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and SATED scale). Results: OSA of varying severity was identified in 82% of patients. Among patients with moderate-to-severe OSA, the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) correlated with the oxygen desaturation index, the circadian index of heart rate, sleep disturbances (Insomnia Severity Index), anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), daytime sleepiness (Epworth scale), mean heart rate, troponin I, C-reactive protein, leukocyte count, and NT-proBNP. Holter monitoring revealed increased heart rate variability in patients with apnea–hypopnea index >30. Patients with a higher apnea–hypopnea index had higher morning cortisol levels ( p < 0.05). Multivariable analysis identified body mass index, oxygen desaturation index, and reduced RMSSD as independent predictors of severe OSA and poorer sleep quality. Conclusion: In the early post-MI period, obstructive sleep disturbances predominate in men aged 30–60 years and are associated with markers of heart failure, autonomic dysfunction, and inflammation. Routine screening using respiratory polygraphy and actigraphy is warranted.