Sleep Study & Heart Health: Does a Sleep Study Detect Heart Health Issues?

There is a widespread phenomenon of insufficient sleep in developed countries. People typically sleep for an average of just 6.8 hours per night, 1.5 hours less than a century ago. In the past, the impact of sleep deprivation on our bodies was not well understood. However, recent research has shown that sleep deprivation is linked to hypertension (high blood pressure), coronary heart disease (CHD), and diabetes mellitus (DM). The chart below details the relationships between sleep deprivation and hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease. 

There is a growing body of research indicating that sleep is important for heart health. A sleep study can provide important information about the link between sleep and heart health by monitoring physiological parameters such as heart rate and blood pressure. This information can be used to identify any potential issues with heart health, such as arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) or hypertension (high blood pressure). A study found that people who sleep fewer than six hours per night are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Another study published in the American Heart Association’s journal found that people who suffer from insomnia are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease. 

Now that we have established the connection between sleep and heart health, let us try to understand what a sleep study is and how it can help detect heart health issues. 

How Does A Sleep Study Help Analyse Your Heart Health?

During a sleep study a variety of physiological parameters are monitored, including heart rate and blood pressure. In addition, the data collected during the sleep study can be used to diagnose sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, that have been linked to heart health problems. Sleep apnea is a disorder in which a person’s breathing is briefly and repeatedly interrupted during sleep, and has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. By identifying and treating sleep disorders, a sleep study can help improve your heart health.

What Can You Expect In A Sleep Study?

A sleep study, also known as a polysomnogram, is a test that is used to assess sleep patterns and identify any problems that may be affecting sleep. The test is usually conducted in a sleep laboratory or a hospital, and involves the monitoring of several physiological parameters while a person sleeps. These parameters may include brain waves, eye movements, muscle activity, heart rate, and breathing. The data collected during the sleep study is used to diagnose sleep disorders, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome, and to develop treatment plans. Sleep studies are usually conducted overnight, and are likely to require the person being tested to stay overnight in the sleep laboratory or hospital.

Why Is A Sleep Study An Essential Test Today?

In the United States, chronic sleep loss is becoming increasingly common and severe. This is mainly due to very heavy work schedules paired with negative post work habits like those based on excessive screen time and social media use. Each new generation of devices has a brighter screen that emits more blue light, which can disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle and cause sleep problems. Apart from that, sleep disorders, such as insomnia and sleep apnea, are common and can have serious consequences for physical and mental health. A sleep study can help diagnose these disorders and provide guidance on treatment. Sleep disorders can be difficult to diagnose based on symptoms alone, as many of the symptoms overlap with other conditions. A sleep study can provide objective data on sleep patterns to help accurately diagnose sleep disorders.

In addition to a sleep study, you should consider using the Frontier X2 smart heart monitor to capture high-quality ECG continuously on your chest through activities ranging from sleeping to working out!

Frequently Asked Questions :

How does a sleep study work? 

A polysomnogram is a type of sleep study that is used to assess sleep patterns and identify any problems that may be affecting sleep. During the polysomnogram, a technologist will attach sensors to the person’s body to monitor certain physiological parameters such as brain waves, eye movements, muscle activity, heart rate, and breathing.

What does a sleep study show?

The data collected during a sleep study can show a variety of things including: stages of sleep, sleep patterns, breathing patterns, as well as other physiological parameters such as heart rate and muscle activity. Each of these aid in diagnosing sleep disorders and identifying potential health problems.

What if I can’t sleep during a sleep study?

It is not uncommon for people to have difficulty sleeping during a sleep study. It definitely is important to try to get as much sleep as possible during the sleep study, as the data collected during the test will be used to diagnose any sleep disorders and develop a treatment plan. If you are having trouble sleeping, speak with the technologist who is monitoring the sleep study. They may be able to make adjustments to the sensors or offer other suggestions to help you sleep better.

How long does a sleep study take?

The length of the study will depend on the specific sleep disorder being tested and the individual needs of the person being tested. In general, a sleep study will last for at least six hours, but it may last up to eight hours or longer. 

Other Heart Health Topics To Explore :

Stress Test For Heart | Meditation To Reduce Arrhythmia | Arrhythmia Causes | Aquatic Exercise for Heart Health | Smoking and Heart Health | Low Carb Diet | Yoga For Healthy Heart | Heart Palpitations After Eating | Stretching Exercise For Heart Health | Heart Palpitation After Covid

Frontier X2 :

Heart Rate Monitor USA | Price of ECG Machine in India | ECG Heart Monitor