New insomnia research shows how improving sleep can lower heart attack risk
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Loading... - Gans Helena
- 27 Feb 2023
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People with insomnia are 69% more likely to have a heart attack, compared to those who do not have the sleep disorder, according to a large analysis.
Sleep really is a lifesaver.
A pair of studies released this week at a leading cardiology conference found that while insomnia may raise the risk of having a heart attack, consistent high quality sleep habits could add years to your life.
People with insomnia are 69% more likely to have a heart attack, compared to those who do not have the sleep disorder, according to a new analysis of previous research presented Friday at the American College of Cardiology’s annual conference.
The study conducted by an international team of researchers examined the connection between insomnia and heart attacks through data on more than 1 million adults, average age 52, from six countries. People were categorized as having insomnia if they had at least one of three symptoms:
Difficulty falling asleep.
Difficulty staying asleep.
Waking too early in the morning.
The symptoms had to be present for at least three days a week for at least three months. Over an average of nine years of follow-up, people who habitually slept five or fewer hours were 56% more likely to have a heart attack than those who had the recommended eight hours a night, regardless of age or gender.
The researchers hope the study will raise “awareness of the importance of sleep in maintaining a healthy heart,” said the study’s first author, Yomna E. Dean, a medical student at Alexandria University in Alexandria, Egypt.
“Many people don’t realize how important it is,” Dean said.
“Some people might not necessarily be insomniacs, but are sleep deprived by choice,” Dean added. “That’s common nowadays. These findings apply to everyone who sleeps five or fewer hours a night.”
An estimated 10% of Americans have some form of insomnia and it’s more common in women, said Dr. Sanjay Patel, director of the Center for Sleep and Cardiovascular Outcomes Research at the University of Pittsburgh.
“At least part of the reason for that may be that two of the most common risk factors for insomnia are anxiety and depression, which are both more common in women,” said Patel. Read More…
