The impact of sleep deprivation on coronary heart disease is also believed to be influenced by sleep’s effects on blood pressure. Poor sleep triggers chronic inflammation, which contributes to plaque formation and hardening of the arteries. Plaque forms as a consequence of inflammation, which involves white blood cells, which are produced by the immune system, to collect in the arteries. Research has found that sleep deprivation contributes to atherosclerosis. This reduces the ability of the heart to get enough blood and oxygen. Also known as coronary artery disease, it happens when plaque builds up in the arteries, hardening and narrowing them in a condition known as atherosclerosis. Sleep and Coronary Heart DiseaseĬoronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. People who work long hours in high-stress jobs and people with other risk factors for hypertension are more likely to have raised blood pressure after chronic poor sleep. The link between lack of sleep and high blood pressure is highest in middle-aged adults. Raised daytime blood pressure has been identified as a consequence of sleep deprivation in multiple studies, but it doesn’t affect all people equally. It’s also been linked to kidney problems and reduced blood flow to the brain. Non-dipping has been tied to an increased risk of stroke and heart attack. In fact, nocturnal blood pressure has been found to be even more predictive of heart problems than high blood pressure during the day. Studies have found that elevated nighttime blood pressure is tied to overall hypertension (high blood pressure). Poor sleep, whether from a lack of sleep or sleep disruptions, is associated with non-dipping, meaning that a person’s blood pressure doesn’t go down at night. This is known as nocturnal dipping, and research highlights its role in cardiovascular health. Sleep and Blood Pressureĭuring normal, healthy sleep, blood pressure drops by around 10-20%. The same problem can affect people whose sleep is frequently interrupted.Īs a result, chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to numerous heart problems including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attack, obesity, diabetes, and stroke. Without sufficient nightly sleep, a person doesn’t spend enough time in the deep stages of NREM sleep that benefit the heart. These changes reduce stress on the heart, allowing it to recover from strain that occurs during waking hours. During the non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep stages, heart rate slows, blood pressure drops, and breathing stabilizes. Sleep is an essential time for the body to recuperate. Substantial evidence demonstrates that sleeping problems, including sleep deprivation and fragmented sleep, have negative effects on heart health. Does Sleep Deprivation Affect Heart Health? For the cardiovascular system, insufficient or fragmented sleep can contribute to problems with blood pressure and heighten the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, diabetes, and stroke.Īs a result, getting good sleep may help prevent damage to the cardiovascular system, and for people with heart problems, can be part of following a heart-healthy lifestyle. Sleep provides time for the body to restore and recharge, playing a key role in nearly all aspects of physical health. While it’s already well-known that factors like poor diet, limited exercise, and smoking can harm the heart, there’s a growing recognition of the dangers of sleep deprivation for heart health. Unfortunately, heart problems are a leading cause of illness and death in the United States. Responsible for pumping blood throughout the body, the heart powers the circulatory system that ensures that all the organs and tissues in the body get the oxygen they need.
It’s difficult to overstate the heart’s importance to health.
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