How Inadequate Sleep Leads to Cardiovascular Diseases

August 17, 2021 | 2 minutes read time

Most people recognize the common risk factors of cardiac diseases such as smoking, limited exercise, and poor diet. However, sleep is often underrated when it comes to maintaining a healthy circulatory system.

This is why, Dr. Vanita, a top cardiologist in Delhi explains the link between sleep and heart health. Fragmented or inadequate sleep can increase your risk of stroke, diabetes, heart attacks, and heart diseases, according to the best cardiologist in Delhi.

Let’s understand the connection in detail:

How Sleep Affects Blood Pressure

It’s important to sleep for at least 7 hours every night. Our body’s blood pressure drops during healthy sleep, says the famous cardiologist in Delhi.

“However, when the person doesn’t get enough sleep at night, the blood pressure remains elevated. Prolonged sleep deprivation can thus lead to hypertension”, explains Dr. Vanita.

An elevated blood pressure level during nighttime is more suggestive of heart-related diseases in the future compared to increased daytime blood pressure. Hypertension can then cause other problems such as kidney stones and stroke in severe cases.

Correlation Between Obesity and Sleep Deprivation

According to the best cardiologist in South Delhi, lack of sleep has a deep correlation with obesity. People who don’t get at least 7 hours of sleep are likely to have a greater BMI or body mass index.

Sleep deprivation can cause people to overeat or overindulge in high-calorie foods which then leads to obesity. Being overweight is the leading cause of stroke, cardiac diseases, high cholesterol, and hypertension.

Let’s put it this way – if you’re trying to lose weight, you cannot do so without sufficient sleep.

Fragmented Sleep Can Cause Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes and cardiovascular health are closely related, says the famous cardiologist in Delhi. Poor sleep can increase your chances of becoming prediabetic.

On the other hand, people who have already been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can face more problems if they don’t sleep enough. This chronic disease is a major risk factor for stroke and heart diseases.

How Can You Sleep Better?

Now that you’re familiar with the link between cardiac diseases and sleep deprivation, it’s time to list a few tips to help you sleep better. The best cardiologist in Delhi suggests the following measures to improve your sleep quality:

• • Keep your bedroom free of noise
• • Avoid high-calorie food, sugar, and alcohol a few hours before bedtime
• • Use anti-glare glasses and a blue light filter while working on a computer or laptop
• • Don’t exercise before bedtime but it’s important to be active during the day
• • Always walk a few steps after lunch or heavy dinner
• • Let the natural light in your bedroom during the day
• • Make a proper sleep schedule and stick to it – even during the weekends

Book an Appointment!

Over the years, Dr. Vanita Arora has saved thousands of lives using her expertise in cardiac resynchronization therapy, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, ongoing care for atrial fibrillation, arrhythmia care for kids, and more.

To book an appointment with the renowned cardiologist in Delhi, call +919873879994 or fill this form on her website.