Smoothy Slim
Photo by Julia Larson Pexels Logo Photo: Julia Larson

Does lack of sleep cause high blood pressure?

Insomnia is linked to high blood pressure and heart disease. Over time, poor sleep can also lead to unhealthy habits that can hurt your heart, including higher stress levels, less motivation to be physically active, and unhealthy food choices.

How can a lazy girl lose weight?
How can a lazy girl lose weight?

Lazy Girl's Guide to Weight Loss #10 Drink 8 glasses of water per day. If anything, at least you can pee out a pound or two. ... #9 Eat spicy food....

Read More »
What drink calms your heart rate?
What drink calms your heart rate?

CHAMOMILE TEA In addition to relaxing blood vessels, chamomile can also have a calming effect on your body. As your body relaxes, your heart rate...

Read More »
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Getting good sleep isn’t just important for your energy levels—it’s critical for your heart health, too. Learn how sleep is connected to heart health. Sleep is not a luxury. It is critical to good health. Sleep helps your body repair itself. Getting enough good sleep also helps you function normally during the day. Get enough sleep. Most adults need at least 7 hours of sleep each night.1

How much sleep do I need?

Most adults need at least 7 hours of sleep each night.1 However, more than 1 in 3 American adults say they don’t get the recommended amount of sleep.2 While this may be fine for a day or two, not getting enough sleep over time can lead to serious health problems—and make certain health problems worse.

What health conditions are linked to a lack of sleep?

Adults who sleep less than 7 hours each night are more likely to say they have had health problems, including heart attack, asthma, and depression.3 Some of these health problems raise the risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. These health problems include: High blood pressure. During normal sleep, your blood pressure goes down. Having sleep problems means your blood pressure stays higher for a longer period of time. 4 High blood pressure is one of the leading risks for heart disease and stroke. About 75 million Americans—1 in 3 adults—have high blood pressure. 5 During normal sleep, your blood pressure goes down. Having sleep problems means your blood pressure stays higher for a longer period of time. High blood pressure is one of the leading risks for heart disease and stroke. About 75 million Americans—1 in 3 adults—have high blood pressure. Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that causes sugar to build up in your blood, a condition that can damage your blood vessels. Some studies show that getting enough good sleep may help people improve blood sugar control. 6 Diabetes is a disease that causes sugar to build up in your blood, a condition that can damage your blood vessels. Some studies show that getting enough good sleep may help people improve blood sugar control. Obesity. Lack of sleep can lead to unhealthy weight gain. This is especially true for children and adolescents, who need more sleep than adults. Not getting enough sleep may affect a part of the brain that controls hunger.6

What sleep conditions can hurt my heart health?

Why do you cover carrots with straw?
Why do you cover carrots with straw?

The magic ingredient to overwinter your carrots is straw! Be sure not to confuse hay for straw, because hay contains a lot of weed seeds that will...

Read More »
What does coffee do to adrenals?
What does coffee do to adrenals?

Caffeine causes neural excitation in the brain, which the pituitary gland perceives as an emergency and stimulates the adrenal glands to release...

Read More »
Tasty breakfast juice melts 59lbs of wobbly fat
Tasty breakfast juice melts 59lbs of wobbly fat

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Over time, sleep problems can hurt your heart health.

Sleep apnea happens when your airway gets blocked repeatedly during sleep, causing you to stop breathing for short amounts of time. Sleep apnea can be caused by certain health problems, such as obesity and heart failure. Sleep apnea affects how much oxygen your body gets while you sleep and increases the risk for many health problems, including high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. It is more common among Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans than among whites.7 Insomnia refers to trouble falling sleep, staying asleep, or both. As many as 1 in 2 adults experiences short-term insomnia at some point, and 1 in 10 may have long-lasting insomnia.8 Insomnia is linked to high blood pressure and heart disease. Over time, poor sleep can also lead to unhealthy habits that can hurt your heart, including higher stress levels, less motivation to be physically active, and unhealthy food choices. For better sleep, get enough natural light, especially earlier in the day. Try going for a morning or lunchtime walk.

What can I do to get better sleep?

Stick to a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, including on the weekends. Get enough natural light, especially earlier in the day. Try going for a morning or lunchtime walk. Get enough physical activity during the day. Try not to exercise within a few hours of bedtime. Avoid artificial light, especially within a few hours of bedtime. Use a blue light filter on your computer or smartphone. Don’t eat or drink within a few hours of bedtime; avoid alcohol and foods high in fat or sugar in particular.

Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet.

Work with your health care team to identify obstacles to good sleep, including other medical conditions.

More Information

CDC

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Is apple cider vinegar a natural anti-inflammatory?
Is apple cider vinegar a natural anti-inflammatory?

Some people believe that apple cider vinegar contains anti-inflammatory properties that would aid in the symptoms of arthritis, however, this has...

Read More »
Does beet powder raise blood sugar?
Does beet powder raise blood sugar?

Beetroots are rich in nitrates and antioxidants that help keep your blood vessels healthy. Beets help regulate your blood sugar levels and improve...

Read More »
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
Are potato chips high in fiber?
Are potato chips high in fiber?

“A well-chosen chip can be a good source of fiber,” he says. While a bag of chips will only give you just about 1 gram of fiber, the same 1.5 ounce...

Read More »
Fizzy juice “chews through” 63lbs of fat
Fizzy juice “chews through” 63lbs of fat

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
Does lemon detox your body?
Does lemon detox your body?

Lemon also happens to be a strong detox agent. Drinking lemon water first thing in the morning will flush out all the toxins from your system....

Read More »