Dr Elena Savchenkova-Belyatko, a cardiologist at the Bud Zdorov clinic, has warned that regular sleep deprivation can trigger thyroid disorders and heart disease.
Speaking to the RIA Novosti news agency, Savchenkova-Belyatko stated that eight hours of rest is considered the standard daily requirement for adults.
She explained that a routine lack of sleep slows the function of the thyroid gland, reducing its ability to produce thyroxine. This shortfall leads to hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid state that can subsequently cause complications in the cardiac and vascular systems.
Thyroxine is a vital hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism, energy levels, and cardiac rate. When thyroid hormone output declines, metabolic processes decelerate throughout the body, placing added physical strain on the heart and blood vessels.
Hormonal disruption and disease risks
Savchenkova-Belyatko also highlighted the impact of inadequate sleep on appetite control. She noted that leptin, the hormone responsible for signaling fullness to the brain, is synthesized primarily during sleep.
Without sufficient sleep, leptin production drops while levels of stress hormones such as cortisol rise, which can trigger an increased appetite. Leptin plays a central role in energy balance by signalling satiety, so its suppression often prompts overeating and weight gain.
In addition to endocrine disruption, the physician warned that chronic sleep loss elevates the risk of oncological and cardiovascular illnesses. Immunity also declines when sleep is consistently missed, reducing the body's natural defenses.
Clinical context and health guidance
Bud Zdorov is a major network of private medical clinics in Russia providing outpatient care, diagnostic testing, and specialist medical consultations. RIA Novosti is a nationwide Russian news agency headquartered in Moscow that distributes state and international news coverage.
Medical organisations including the World Health Organization and the Sleep Research Society recommend seven to nine hours of nightly sleep for adults. Sustained sleep deprivation is widely recognized in preventive medicine as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and impaired immune function.
The warning follows earlier health advice urging Russians to focus on five key lifestyle factors to maintain overall wellness during the autumn season.
