Not getting enough sleep on a regular basis may be associated with a wide variety of health problems, including heart disease. A new study published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology has found that healthy adults who get less than seven hours of sleep a night showed abnormal heart rate patterns.
According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three adults in the United States does not get enough sleep. Researchers believe this is why sleep needs to be considered a major pillar of overall health, similar to the way physical activity, exercise, and nutrition are.
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Whether it’s chronic insomnia or just a few missed hours of sleep, research shows that the heart may be affected.
For the study, researchers from Montana State University divided 35 men and women into two groups. The first group had participants getting at least seven hours of sleep, while the second group had participants who slept fewer than seven hours. Participants were screened by at-home monitor tests and sleep quality surveys. Each was then observed overnight in a lab-controlled sleep study.
Researchers analyzed the information and examined spikes in activity called spontaneous cortical arousals (CA). The heart rates of regular sleeping and short sleeping participants were compared to those who had CA activity.
It was found that while the two groups had a similar number of CA periods, the short sleeping group had an elevated heart rate after these incidents and their heart rates took longer to return to normal compared to those of the regular sleepers.
Researchers concluded the study by saying, “these findings offer evidence of nocturnal cardiovascular dysregulation in habitual short sleepers, independent from any diagnosed sleep disorders.”
Insomnia Cases Rising
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With the number of US adults who have insomnia is on the rise, research such as this is vital. Lack of sleep has previously been associated with cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Symptoms of insomnia may include difficulty falling or staying asleep and not feeling well-rested throughout the day. Most cases of insomnia are related to poor sleep habits, anxiety, depression, lack of exercise, chronic illness, or certain medications. Almost all of these sleep habits are lifestyle behaviors that can be changed.
Treatment for insomnia can improve sleep habits and behavior therapy, but the first step is identifying those underlying causes. Some basic tips to help with better sleep quality include sticking to a sleep schedule, staying active, limiting caffeine or alcohol, and avoiding large meals and beverages before bed.
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.
