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Lack of Sleep Doubles Risk of Heart Disease

Researchers suspect link between blood pressure, fewer Zs

By Rachel Kravetz,  Newser User

Posted Sep 24, 2007 4:57 PM CDT

(Newser) – Getting 7 hours of sleep a night is best, and people who consistently sleep less are risking their lives, a new study says. Researchers followed 10,000 civil servants for 17 years and found that those who reduced their sleep from 7 hours a night to 5 or less doubled their risk of dying from heart disease, Reuters reports.

"A third of the population of the UK and over 40% in the US regularly sleep less than 5 hours a night, so it is not a trivial problem," one researcher said. The study, the first to link sleep duration and mortality rates, also showed lack of sleep increasing the risk of death from all causes.

While the correlation is not yet fully understood, scientists predict that lack of sleep effect on blood pressure may increase the risk of stroke and heart disease.
While the correlation is not yet fully understood, scientists predict that lack of sleep effect on blood pressure may increase the risk of stroke and heart disease.   (Index Open)
A third of the population of the UK and over 40 percent in the U.S. regularly sleep less than five hours a night, so it is not a trivial problem, said a researcher behind the study.
"A third of the population of the UK and over 40 percent in the U.S. regularly sleep less than five hours a night, so it is not a trivial problem," said a researcher behind the study.   (Shutterstock.com)
While many studies have been conducted regarding disruption of healthy sleep cycles, this is the first discovery directly linking sleep to mortality rates.
While many studies have been conducted regarding disruption of healthy sleep cycles, this is the first discovery directly linking sleep to mortality rates.   (Shutterstock.com)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Fran
Aug 3, 2010 10:06 PM CDT
This research is something my cardiologist friend has been telling me for the last 5 years. I always try to have at least 8 hours of sleep every night. When I wake up in the morning, I feel fresh and ready to go. Good story, thanks for sharing.

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