According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults normally need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep. However, the sleep duration of many adults is far less than the recommended.
In fact, several studies have reported the negative health consequences of short sleep duration. Studies have shown lack of sleep would raise rates of obesity, depression and high blood pressure in children, and it would increase the risk of falls for older adults. For the middle-aged persons, lack of sleep would increase the risk of infections, heart disease, stroke and cancer.
It is widely believed that high blood pressure, if not treated in time with medications, could cause stroke and eventually lead to partial or total disability. Some serious cases could even result in death. In the meantime, one should not forget that high blood pressure has long been regarded as a known risk factor of heart disease.
A paper published on June 8, 2009 in the Archives of Internal Medicine by researchers from the University of Chicago revealed that middle-aged adults who sleep too little are more likely to develop hypertension (high blood pressure).
The new study is believed to be among the first to directly measure sleep duration for middle-aged adults. The findings showed that a person who misses an average of 1 hour of sleep over a period of 5 years would raise the risk of getting high blood pressure by 37 percent. Meanwhile, the study also suggested that poor sleep might well explain in part why black men have higher blood pressure risks.
In the study, 578 adults with an average age of 40 were examined. The researchers took blood pressure readings and measured sleep duration for each of these adults. It was noted that only 1 percent slept 8 hours or more.
On average, the volunteers slept only 6 hours. For those who slept less, chances they would develop high blood pressure over 5 years would be much higher. The result also showed that every hour of lost sleep raised the risk. Meanwhile, the researchers found that men, and particularly black men, had much shorter sleep duration than white women in the study, who were least likely to develop high blood pressure.
In fact, several studies have reported the negative health consequences of short sleep duration. Studies have shown lack of sleep would raise rates of obesity, depression and high blood pressure in children, and it would increase the risk of falls for older adults. For the middle-aged persons, lack of sleep would increase the risk of infections, heart disease, stroke and cancer.
It is widely believed that high blood pressure, if not treated in time with medications, could cause stroke and eventually lead to partial or total disability. Some serious cases could even result in death. In the meantime, one should not forget that high blood pressure has long been regarded as a known risk factor of heart disease.
A paper published on June 8, 2009 in the Archives of Internal Medicine by researchers from the University of Chicago revealed that middle-aged adults who sleep too little are more likely to develop hypertension (high blood pressure).
The new study is believed to be among the first to directly measure sleep duration for middle-aged adults. The findings showed that a person who misses an average of 1 hour of sleep over a period of 5 years would raise the risk of getting high blood pressure by 37 percent. Meanwhile, the study also suggested that poor sleep might well explain in part why black men have higher blood pressure risks.
In the study, 578 adults with an average age of 40 were examined. The researchers took blood pressure readings and measured sleep duration for each of these adults. It was noted that only 1 percent slept 8 hours or more.
On average, the volunteers slept only 6 hours. For those who slept less, chances they would develop high blood pressure over 5 years would be much higher. The result also showed that every hour of lost sleep raised the risk. Meanwhile, the researchers found that men, and particularly black men, had much shorter sleep duration than white women in the study, who were least likely to develop high blood pressure.
Interesting post about the relationship between sleep and heart disease. It just goes to show, yet again, that a good-night's rest is invaluable. I am surprised to find out that the average number of hours the participants slept is low at 6 hours a night. Is the study considering sleep aids/drugs and their affects? I work for icyou.com. We feature an interesting video on the relationship between sleep apnea and heart disease. Check it out! Looking forward to your next post.
ReplyDeleteQuite a considerable approach towards preventing self from heart attack. One should also keep an aspirin with him all the time if he is facing a problem of heart. This might really help to thwart the severity of the heart attack or the heart stroke. This might help you survive in severe cases. Such medication should be kept handy for those who are on the threat of having a heart attack. My personal experience led me to suggest you all. Aspirin can really help you reduce the severity , as it decreases the blood pressure, and the heart beat rate making the blood density to be decreased to some extent. And for those who needs to travel more and are not able to be in the constant touch with the doctors, they should be enrolled in any of the medical facility providing online and eConsultations by the physicians. This really helps a lot. Because, generally we do feel some symptoms of pre-heart attack, but we generally ignore it. And that is the point where one makes a big mistake. So, an immediate contact with a physician can help you recognize the indications, and help you to react to it immediately. I am enrolled in one such medical facility known as prevention plus program of Elite Health. You can find more information from their website: www.elitehealth.com/prevention_plus_health_plan.php
ReplyDelete