[Restless legs syndrome and cardiovascular risk]

Nervenarzt. 2011 Aug;82(8):1006-11. doi: 10.1007/s00115-010-3185-3.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Large epidemiological studies have repeatedly suggested a possible association between restless legs syndrome (RLS) and common cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular risk factors. Patients complaining of symptoms of RLS were also more likely to suffer from coronary artery disease, stroke, or, in some instances, hypertension. The underlying pathogenesis of the disease association depicted above has not been elucidated conclusively. Increased activation of the sympathetic nervous system - due to the RLS itself and the frequently accompanying periodic limb movements - has been linked to increased cardiovascular stress in patients with RLS.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arousal / physiology
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Coronary Artery Disease / diagnosis
  • Coronary Artery Disease / epidemiology
  • Coronary Artery Disease / physiopathology
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / diagnosis
  • Hypertension / epidemiology
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nocturnal Myoclonus Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Nocturnal Myoclonus Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Nocturnal Myoclonus Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Risk Factors
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Stroke / diagnosis
  • Stroke / epidemiology
  • Stroke / physiopathology
  • Sympathetic Nervous System / physiopathology
  • Young Adult