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Experts recommend that adults get between seven and eight hours of sleep each night. Granted, life is busy, and sometimes you may not be able to get all the shuteye you deserve. But what if a sleep disorder, stress, or other problems routinely cause you to get less than six hours of sleep per night? What if you sleep for a long time but your sleep quality is poor? Recent research indicates that you may be at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Sleep Quantity and Heart Health
In recent years, numerous studies have connected a lack of sleep to risk factors that can lead to heart disease. For example, not getting enough sleep can make it more difficult for a person to manage their weight, and obese individuals are at an increased risk of cardiovascular issues. A lack of sleep has also been connected to uncontrolled glucose levels, high blood pressure, and inflammation.
A more recent study shines a light on an even closer connection between a lack of sleep and heart disease. The study examined nearly 4,000 individuals in Spain with an average age of 46 years. The study found that the participants who slept for less than six hours each night had a 27 percent greater risk of atherosclerosis compared to those who slept for seven to eight hours each night. (Atherosclerosis is the term used to describe deposits of plaque and fatty materials along artery walls.)
Sleep Quality and Heart Health
In addition to examining sleep quantity, the study also considered sleep quality. They measured things such as a person’s movements during the night and how often they woke up. The researchers found that poor sleep quality led to a 34 percent increased risk of atherosclerosis. The doctor who led the study also noted, “It is important to realize that shorter sleep duration that is of good quality can overcome the detrimental effects of the shorter length.”
Let Sleep Protect Your Heart
Because there is so much research that connects quality and quantity of sleep to heart health, it is important that you do all you can get adequate, high-quality sleep. If you are struggling to do so, you may need to visit a qualified sleep dentist. They may recommend that you undergo a sleep test to determine if a physical disorder is robbing you of rest, such as obstructive sleep apnea. Then, they can design a treatment plan to provide relief. They might also give you some tips on proper sleep hygiene to help you improve your quality of sleep.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and getting enough high-quality shuteye each night could be a key to fighting heart disease. Indeed, sleep could save your life!
About the Author
Dr. Shelley Shults is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep medicine, a general dentist, a registered nurse, and a family nurse practitioner. She puts her expertise to work to enable her patients achieve better health and a higher quality of life through treatments that are designed to improve their sleep. To learn how she may be able to help you, contact our team today at 614-396-9310.