Irregular Sleep And Heart Problems
Cardiovascular disease is a group of diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels. They are the leading cause of death worldwide. This means that every year, more people die from one of these diseases than from any other cause. What is the connection between irregular sleep and heart problems?
Because of our lifestyle and the evolution of society, more and more people suffer from one of these disorders. They are a public health problem and many studies are being carried out to try to clearly identify the factors that contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular problems so that action can be taken against them.
Some examples of cardiovascular disease are:
How important is sleep?
As already mentioned, sleeping well, as well as eating well and exercising, is essential for maintaining optimal health. Not resting properly has negative consequences, both psychologically and physically.
During sleep, we rest our minds and bodies. The whole body rests to recharge 100% for the next day. Insufficient rest repeatedly causes us to accumulate fatigue and stress. The body will not be able to perform all its functions properly.
If the situation continues for a long time and the body does not function properly, the risk of developing certain diseases increases. This risk includes both psychological illnesses – stress or depression – and physical illnesses – such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic problems.
What does it mean to have an irregular sleep?
When we talk about a night of poor rest, we mean more than the failure to sleep a certain number of hours. So what are we talking about? Irregular sleep also affects the quality of rest and biological rhythms.
If the number of hours of sleep varies greatly from day to day or if we go to bed and wake up at very different times during the day, then our sleep will be irregular. Irregular sleep means that the body cannot get used to a resting routine, that our circadian rhythms are out of control and that we are not functioning properly.
What is the connection between irregular sleep and heart problems?
Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston conducted a study in which they investigated men between the ages of 60 and 70 with no history of cardiovascular problems.
To do this, they attached a tracking monitor, which each participant wore on their wrist. The monitors sent reports to the researchers on the bedtime, sleep duration and waking time of the participants.
Based on this information, the specialists analyzed which participants suffered from a cardiovascular problem and linked it to their sleep pattern. The researchers found that the risk of cardiovascular problems was more than twice as high in participants who did not have a high quality of sleep.
A good rest protects us against cardiovascular problems
Often, when it comes to preventing and treating cardiovascular disease, we focus on diet, exercise, and medication. However, we often forget such a fundamental and simple factor as adequate sleep.
Therefore, studying patients at cardiovascular risk, taking into account the sleep pattern and correcting it can help prevent many diseases. Even so, researchers are still working on new studies to expand our knowledge in this regard.
