Long-term sleep deprivation is common in today's fast-paced society. Losing sleep can make you groggy or grouchy the next day. But what are the long-term effects of sleep deprivation? And does it really have any effect other than making you sleepy?
Beginning in 1986, more than 71,000 nurses were studied and followed for ten years. Their sleep patterns were compared to their incidence of heart disease. The results? Too little sleep or too much sleep can increase your risk of heart disease.
The Archives of Internal Medicine reported study results, which were collected and reviewed by researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Harvard University, both located in Boston.
The Results
Women who averaged five or fewer hours of sleep had a heart disease rate nearly 40 percent higher than those who slept closer to eight hours. Even getting an average night's sleep of six or seven hours increased coronary risk.
Short-term sleep deprivation can also raise blood pressure, lower glucose tolerance, affect heart rate, and raise stress hormone levels.
What about sleeping more than eight hours? Somewhat surprisingly, those who averaged nine or more hours of sleep also had higher risk for heart disease. Researchers were not sure why this was true, but suggested that it could be caused by already-existing health problems that led these women to sleep more.
Implications
Sleep may be more important than most people think in maintaining overall health. Adequate sleep is a simple and inexpensive way to help take care of your health.
The study included only women, but researches report that the same results would also be true for men.
Overall, getting seven to eight hours of sleep seems to be a healthy average for most adults. If you sleep much less or much more, or suffer from a sleep disorder, see your doctor. |
