How Poor Sleep Habits Are Secretly Damaging Your Heart

Sleep is generally the first casualty of our busy lives. Whether it is working late at night, watching TV, or scrolling endlessly on the phone, we are likely to forget the importance of sleep. What is not known by many, however, is that poor sleeping habits can wreak havoc with heart health. At Sugam Hospital, we stress good sleep as one of the components of overall well-being. Let us see how sleep deprivation is silently killing your heart and how you can save it.

The Connection Between Sleep And Heart Health

Your heart is working round the clock pumping blood into the body, and it requires good rest so that it functions optimally. Irregular sleeping patterns such as failing to sleep, strange sleeping hours, and sleep disorders may raise the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as:

• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Without good sleep, your blood pressure stays elevated for a longer period of time, which is stressful on your heart.
• Increased Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke: Without sufficient sleep, how your body responds to stress hormones is interrupted, leading to a possible inflammation and narrowing of blood vessels.
• Obesity and Diabetes: Sleep deprivation can disrupt metabolism and lead to weight gain and insulin resistance, both key risk factors for heart disease.
• Irregular Heartbeat (Arrhythmia): Studies have shown that irregular sleep patterns may cause abnormal heart rhythms, increasing the risk of complications.

How Sleep Loss Affects The Body

When you consistently don’t sleep well, your body experiences a ripple effect of negative consequences:

• Increased Stress Hormones: Too much cortisol, the stress hormone, accumulates as a result of chronic sleep deprivation and can damage blood vessels over time.
• Impaired Blood Sugar Regulation: Lack of sleep changes the body’s glucose processing, which raises the risk for diabetes.
• Increased Bad Cholesterol: Sleep can cause an imbalance of cholesterol, leading to depositing plaque in arteries.
• Lowered Oxygen Levels: Sleep disorders like sleep apnea reduce oxygen levels several times during the night and overwork the heart.

Signs That Poor Sleep May Be Affecting Your Heart

If you find yourself experiencing any of the following, your sleeping habits may be endangering your heart:

• Recurring fatigue and daytime drowsiness
• Resistant high blood pressure
• Snoring or a choking feeling while sleeping (potential sleep apnea)
• Unexplained weight gain
• Elevated stress and anxiety levels

How To Improve Sleep For A Healthy Heart

The best part is that simple changes to your lifestyle can greatly enhance both your sleep and heart health. Here’s what you can do:

• Stick to a Routine: Go to bed and wake up at the same hour daily, even on weekends.
• Develop a Bedtime Routine: Avoid screens one hour before bed and engage in soothing activities like reading or meditation.
• Watch Your Diet: Steer clear of heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol near bedtime.
• Exercise on a Regular Basis: Regular exercise stabilizes heart health and sleep.
• Treat Sleep Disorders: If you are experiencing sleep apnea or chronic insomnia symptoms, receive the diagnosis and treatment of an expert at Sugam Hospital.

Your heart depends on good sleep for its overall well-being. If you struggle with poor sleep or experience signs that may indicate a heart issue, do not brush them aside. At Sugam Hospital, our experienced cardiologist in Chennai and healthcare team can assist in assessing your risks and guide you towards better heart health.

Prioritize your sleeping, it’s the simplest yet best way to maintain your heart. If you do need help, call us at Sugam Hospital for expert counsel and personalized assistance.