The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults get seven to nine hours of sleep per night for optimal health. While it’s easy to think of sleep as just “rest,” your body is incredibly active during those hours, repairing, regulating, and restoring systems that keep you functioning well.
Many of your bodily systems and organs work best when you get enough sleep. Your heart, in particular, benefits from quality sleep habits. When your sleep is disrupted or cut short, it can place unnecessary strain on your heart and increase your risk of chronic health issues over time.
At Healthstone Primary Care, we want to help you understand why prioritizing quality sleep is essential for protecting your cardiovascular health, particularly as you age.
During deep sleep, your blood pressure naturally drops, which allows your heart and blood vessels to rest. When you have insomnia, frequent waking, or sleep apnea – or just deprive yourself of enough hours – you miss out on this restorative phase, and your blood pressure may stay elevated.
Over time, this raises your risk of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.
A lack of sleep increases levels of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones keep your body on constant alert, making your heart beat faster and your blood pressure rise.
Chronic stress combined with poor sleep can lead to inflammation, irregular heart rhythms, and long-term strain on your cardiovascular system.
Sleep affects the hormones that control hunger and fullness. When you’re sleep-deprived, your body may produce more ghrelin, a hormone that makes you feel hungry. Sleep deprivation also means you produce less leptin, the hormone that signals fullness.
This imbalance can lead to increased appetite, cravings, and weight gain – all factors that contribute to heart disease and diabetes. As you age, maintaining a healthy weight can significantly reduce strain on your heart, making quality sleep an essential part of daily wellness.
Interrupted or insufficient sleep can interfere with how your body processes glucose, or blood sugar. Over time, this increases your risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. These two conditions are closely linked to heart conditions.
Consistent, restorative sleep helps keep blood sugar levels balanced and supports long-term heart health.
Sleep apnea, which affects an estimated 30 million people in the United States, is one of the strongest sleep-related risk factors for heart issues.
During apnea episodes, your breathing repeatedly stops and starts, causing oxygen levels to drop. This puts immediate and ongoing stress on your heart. Treating sleep apnea can significantly improve daytime energy, mood, blood pressure, and overall cardiovascular health.
If you snore, wake up gasping, or feel excessively tired during the day, you may have sleep apnea. Raise these issues at your next visit. We can help.
At Healthstone Primary Care, we recommend a few small daily changes to make a significant impact on your sleep:
If you’re struggling with sleep in any way, please discuss it with our care team. Sleep struggles mean trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up unrefreshed.
Sleep issues are common, but they’re not something you have to live with. Addressing them early can protect your heart, support healthy aging, and improve your overall quality of life.
Make an appointment at one of our offices in Weston, Pembroke Pines, and Davie, Florida, today to support your overall health. Call today or use the online tool to schedule.
