Look After Your Heart Health...By Sleeping!

Cardiovascular disease affects over 1.2 million Australians. It is the number one killer in Australia, causing as many as 1 in 4 deaths. So how can you look after your heart health and lower your risk of heart disease? Dieting, exercising, and monitoring blood pressure are all common and important ways to look after your heart – but did you know that sleep is also crucial for your heart health?

Research has found that irregular or short sleep is linked to a long list of cardiovascular issues. This includes obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and coronary artery disease. Sleep deprived people have elevated levels of stress hormones and other substances that lead to inflammation and cardiovascular disease. This is particularly concerning for patients suffering from untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) - researchers have estimated that their risk of dying from heart disease is increased 5 fold.

So, to look after your heart health, make sure you are getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep each night. If you are struggling with your sleep, speak to your GP or Sleep Specialist to see if you might benefit from a Sleep study.