New findings published in Scientific Reports show that poor aspects of sleep can be a risk factor for heart disease. Individually, they affect heart health, but when combined, poor sleep aspects can increase the risk of heart disease by as much as 141 percent.
For the study, researchers from the University of South Florida reviewed sleep data from 6,820 U.S. adults with an average age of 53. Each participant self-reported their sleep characteristics and heart disease history. Among these participants, 633 also wore an actigraphy device around their wrist that captured sleep activity.
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The study was focused on multiple aspects of sleep health such as satisfaction, regularity, alertness during waking hours, and overall sleep quality. Participants were also asked about their health, including if their physician confirmed a heart condition such as arrhythmia, heart murmur, or enlarged heart. High blood pressure was not considered a diagnosis since it is a risk factor for heart disease and not a diagnosis.
It was found that each additional increase in sleep health problems was associated with a 54 percent increase in the risk of heart disease. These findings held even after being controlled for family history of heart disease and socioeconomic factors such as sex, race, smoking, depression, and physical activity.
Researchers say that while sleep health is essential for all ages, this study was focused on middle-aged adults as it spans for a longer period and consists of more stressful life experiences due to work and family roles. This is also typically when the precursors for heart disease and age-related sleep issues begin to appear.
Sleep and Heart Health
As this study demonstrates, lack of sleep can lead to much more than mere tiredness and diminished performance during the day. Getting proper sleep can help support the ability to maintain healthy body weight, blood sugar levels, cardiovascular health, and mood.
Sleep Sure Plus is designed to help promote restlessness and optimal sleep. Its unique formula includes melatonin, a hormone essential for regulating the circadian rhythm, which is a natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
Along with getting proper sleep, it is essential to focus on heart health as you age. So, Heart Rescue was designed to help support and promote cardiovascular health, using a variety of ingredients, including omega-3 fatty acids, CoQ10, magnesium, and hawthorn extract. These ingredients can help to reduce the risk for heart disease, strengthen the heart muscle, and support circulation.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
