In Brief
Sleep & Heart Health
Sleep and heart health are closely related. Adequate and good-quality sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy heart and preventing heart disease. Here are some of the ways sleep impacts heart health:
- Blood pressure: Lack of sleep can cause an increase in blood pressure, which is a significant risk factor for heart disease.
- Cholesterol levels: Lack of sleep can also cause an increase in LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, which is another risk factor for heart disease.
- Inflammation: Poor sleep can cause inflammation in the body, which is linked to heart disease and stroke.
- Weight gain: Lack of sleep is associated with weight gain, and obesity is a significant risk factor for heart disease.
- Risk of heart disease: Studies have shown that people who don’t get enough sleep are at a higher risk of developing heart disease and having a heart attack or stroke.
To maintain good heart health, it’s recommended that adults get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. If you’re having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor or a sleep specialist to develop a plan to improve your sleep habits.