Most people know that not getting the recommended amount of sleep each night can negatively affect the immune system and make their bodies more susceptible to colds and other viruses. However, in a recent study conducted at the Jichi Medical University in Japan, researchers found that the risk of heart attack and stroke for people in their 60s and 70s increases significantly when they receive less than 7 ½ hours of sleep each night. In addition, if those older adults that aren’t getting enough sleep also have high blood pressure, their risk of heart attack and stroke increases even more, making them four times as likely suffer a heart attack or stroke when compared with older adults with normal blood pressure and adequate sleep. The study, which included 1,255 men and women, all with high blood pressure, surveyed the participants, asking how much time they spent in bed each night. The researchers then watched the blood pressure of each participant for a period of 24 hours. What they found was that those who slept less than 7 ½ hours and experienced an increase in blood pressure during the night had 4.43 times as much risk of experiencing a heart attack and stroke. In addition, researchers found that those who received a deficient amount of sleep were 1.7 times as likely to suffer some cardiovascular problem within the next few years when compared with those participants that slept more than 7 ½ hours.
The study, which was published in the American Medical Association’s Archives of Internal Medicine, did not determine whether or not more sleep for adults in their 60s and 70s would reduce their risk of stroke or heart-related problems. However, it is apparent that an insufficient amount of sleep can negatively influence a person’s health. Other research conducted on sleep found that people that receive less than 6 hours of sleep per night run the greatest risk of health problems, including decreased heart rate variability and problems with their nervous system. Doctors recommend that people get a sufficient amount of exercise each day, avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed and follow a regular sleep pattern to improve the quality and quantity of sleep. Also, it is important to receive proper treatment for hypertension to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and other problems. Heart attacks and strokes are serious events and require immediate treatment by a doctor or hospital in order to prevent additional injury. If you or a loved one has experienced a delay in diagnosis or treatment of a heart attack or stroke, in New York, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, contact Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today for your free consultation. Our medical malpractice attorneys will evaluate the facts of your situation and answer any questions you may have regarding your case.
Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net
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