Sleeping less than 6 hours? Here's how it's affecting your heart

The American Heart Association recommends 7-9 hours of sleep per night for most adults

The American Heart Association recommends 7-9 hours of sleep per night for most adults

Sleep deprivation is a significant health concern that can have severe implications on heart health. Research has shown that insufficient sleep is linked to an array of cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease and stroke.

A study conducted in 2021 revealed that insomnia could lead to unhealthy habits that harm the heart, such as increased stress levels, reduced motivation for physical activity, and poor dietary choices.

Furthermore, adults who sleep less than seven hours each night are more likely to report health problems, including heart attacks and depression, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Besides, regular lack of sleep can increase the blood pressure level, further leading to heart failure and kidney disease. The American Heart Association recommends 7-9 hours of sleep per night for most adults.

However, the quality of your sleep is also important, as it affects how well you feel and function during the day.

However, when you don't get enough sleep or have poor-quality sleep, your heart and blood vessels don't get the chance to relax and heal.

This can lead to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and hormonal imbalances that can damage your cardiovascular system.

Besides weight gain, lack of sleep can affect how your body processes glucose and insulin, the hormones that regulate your blood sugar levels.

This can lead to insulin resistance, which means that your cells don't respond well to insulin and can't use glucose effectively. Insulin resistance can cause type 2 diabetes, a disease that increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.