Sleep and Heart Health

 

Recent research has uncovered yet another reason to focus on getting a good night’s sleep.  Columbia University researchers looked at approximately 2,000 middle to older age adults from another U.S. Study of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors and obtained sleep data from participants.  

Lead study author Nour Makaren, Phd. Stated that  “Our results show that sleep health is integral to heart health, and that an expanded definition of cardiovascular health that includes sleep is more predictive of future heart disease risk.”

The study suggests that you need 7 – 9 hours of sleep daily for optimal cardiovascular health.     People who slept less were also found to have higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure – all of which are clear risk factors for heart disease.

Not surprisingly the study found that 47% of people had moderate to sever sleep apnea – which can be devastating for sleep and heart health including dramatically increased rick of heart attacks, hypertension, depression, and stroke.

Do you have Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea refers to episodes where breathing repeatedly stops and starts.    Common symptoms include:

Loud snoring

Episodes where you are told by a partner that you stop breathing

Gasping for air during sleep

Awakening with a dry mouth

If you think you may have sleep apnea it pays to get it tested.    There are now effective in home tests that your doctor can order.    To order a test just google sleep apnea tests or ask your doctor.

Treating sleep apnea can be life changing and can quite literally save your life  – better rest, lower blood pressure, depression eliminated, and more energy all the time are common benefits!