A Better Night’s Sleep For A Healthier Heart

If you’re constantly cutting out hours of sleep to catch up on the things that you can’t get done during the day, you may want to rethink your habits. Not getting enough Z’s can actually affect cardiovascular health.

Researchers have found that sleep issues, especially not sleeping enough, obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia can influence the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke, coronary heart disease and overall cardiovascular disease.

The positive effects of a good sleep are immediately evident when we wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. The heart can be significantly impacted when the body doesn’t get enough sleep. People who are sleep deprived have slower metabolism and more difficulty losing weight. They also have the effect of not wanting to exercise or participate in other healthy habits. All of these can be contributing factors to heart disease and stroke.

Try these tips to help you snooze:

Exercise regularly

• People who exercise on a regular basis are more likely to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep for six to eight hours at a time.

Avoid stimulants before bed

• Although a cappuccino before bed may sound yummy, it isn’t the best idea if you want to get a good night’s sleep. Stay away from caffeine, sodas and chocolate after dinner.

Establish a relaxation routine

• Turn off the intense movie or video game in favor of taking a warm bath, reading a book or meditating. Drinking a glass of decaffeinated or herbal tea before bed can help, too.

If you are having trouble sleeping, be sure to work with your doctor to find a solution. To learn more about factors that lead to heart disease and stroke, visit https://www.goredforwomen.org/.