Home » Heart Health » Study Shows Healthy Sleep Habits Help Reduce Risk Of Heart Failure
Maintaining good sleep hygiene is not only beneficial for your energy levels and mood, but it can also lower your risk of heart failure. A recent study (Ref.Link) found that adults with healthy sleep patterns had a 42% lower risk of developing heart failure, in comparison with adults with unhealthy sleep patterns after controlling other risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, medication use, and genetic variations.
During the study, researchers analysed sleep quality and overall sleep patterns in relation to the risk of heart failure. Measures of sleep quality included duration, insomnia, and snoring, as well as other factors such as being an early bird or night owl and experiencing daytime sleepiness. The researchers found that after adjusting for other risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, medication use, and genetic variations, participants with the healthiest sleep patterns had a 42% lower risk of heart failure compared to those with unhealthy sleep patterns.
The risk of heart failure was also found to be independently associated with being an early riser, sleeping 7-8 hours per day, not experiencing frequent insomnia, and not experiencing daytime sleepiness. These findings suggest that improving overall sleep patterns may help prevent heart failure. It’s important to note that the sleep behaviours of participants were self-reported and that other unmeasured or unknown factors may have influenced the results.
There is a reciprocal relationship between sleep and heart failure. People with heart failure are more likely to have sleep problems, and sleep problems such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia can worsen heart failure symptoms. Heart failure can cause sleep problems, and complications of heart failure can affect sleep quality. For example, chest pain and discomfort can make it difficult to relax and sleep, and lying in bed may cause shortness of breath. Additionally, you may need to get up during the night to urinate.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition that occurs when the tissue in the back of the throat relaxes and blocks the airway during sleep. This causes the brain to signal the throat muscles to contract and open the airway, which can happen multiple times per night. These episodes can release stress hormones that raise the heart rate and blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure or worsening existing heart failure. Researchers have also found a strong link between insomnia and the risk of heart failure, as insomnia may trigger the body’s stress response and weaken the heart over time.
There are several steps you can take to improve your sleep habits:
Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night to maintain good heart health.
Some good sleep habits for heart health include:
Yes, poor sleep habits can increase the risk of heart disease. Lack of sleep can lead to high blood pressure, increased stress hormones, and a weakened immune system, all of which can increase the risk of heart disease.
Yes, heart disease can cause sleep problems. For example, people with heart failure may experience difficulty breathing or chest discomfort while lying in bed, which can make it difficult to sleep. Additionally, some medications used to treat heart disease may cause sleep problems.
Yes, treating sleep problems can improve heart health. For example, treating sleep apnea can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Improving sleep quality and duration may also help lower the risk of heart disease.
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