Insufficient Sleep Increases Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease

Chronic sleep deprivation can stress your heart and raise your risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a latest study. The study found that a sleep deficit built up over a few nights can significantly stress the heart. The electrocardiograms revealed that all of the volunteers had a much faster heart beat and significantly less heart rate variability following the nights of sleep deprivation. Heart rate variability describes the naturally occurring beat-to-beat changes in heart rate which reflect the body's adjustment to a host of stresses and stimuli. Reduced variability can be a marker for cardiac problems and has also been linked to high blood pressure. Make sure you get 7 to 8 hours of sleep on most nights for relaxation, rejuvenation and better health.