Too Little Sleep May Raise Heart Disease Risk
Too Little Sleep May Raise Heart Disease Risk
Aug. 2, 2010 -- People who sleep for less than seven hours a day, including naps, are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Sleeping fewer than five hours a day, including naps, more than doubles the risk of chest pain, heart attack, or stroke, according to a study conducted by researchers at West Virginia University’s (WVU) faculty of medicine.
Most at risk were people over age 60 who slept for five hours or less per night. Their risk of developing cardiovascular disease was more than three times that of people who slept for seven hours.
The study, published in the journal Sleep, found that sleeping for more than seven hours also increased the risk of cardiovascular disease. Study participants who slept for nine hours or more were one-and-a half times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than people who slept seven hours.
Researchers led by Anoop Shankar, MD, PhD, associate professor at WVU’s department of community medicine, analyzed data from more than 30,000 adults. The authors of the study were unable to determine the causal relationship between how long someone sleeps and their risk of cardiovascular disease. However, they noted that the duration of sleep affects endocrine and metabolic functions. Lack of sleep can lead to high blood pressure, impaired glucose tolerance, and reduced insulin sensitivity, which can all lead to hardening of the arteries.
Slideshow: Tips for Better Sleep
Most at risk were people over age 60 who slept for five hours or less per night. Their risk of developing cardiovascular disease was more than three times that of people who slept for seven hours.
The study, published in the journal Sleep, found that sleeping for more than seven hours also increased the risk of cardiovascular disease. Study participants who slept for nine hours or more were one-and-a half times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than people who slept seven hours.
Researchers led by Anoop Shankar, MD, PhD, associate professor at WVU’s department of community medicine, analyzed data from more than 30,000 adults. The authors of the study were unable to determine the causal relationship between how long someone sleeps and their risk of cardiovascular disease. However, they noted that the duration of sleep affects endocrine and metabolic functions. Lack of sleep can lead to high blood pressure, impaired glucose tolerance, and reduced insulin sensitivity, which can all lead to hardening of the arteries.
Slideshow: Tips for Better Sleep
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