1 hr ago

Regularly Sleeping Under Six Hours May Strain Heart Health

Your heart and blood vessels get a chance to relax while you sleep.

If you regularly sleep less than six hours, your body may not get enough time to recover.

This can raise blood pressure and keep your body in a stress or alert mode.

Poor sleep can also make you crave unhealthy foods and make exercise feel harder.

Over time, this may contribute to weight gain and poor blood sugar control.

These problems can increase the risk of heart disease.

One bad night is usually less concerning than sleeping too little for a long time.

Sleep quality matters too, even if you spend seven or eight hours in bed.

A regular bedtime, fewer evening stimulants, and medical advice for ongoing problems may help.

Key facts

Sleep duration discussed: Regularly sleeping fewer than six hours per night
Main health concern: Potential cardiovascular strain and increased heart-disease risk
Blood pressure effect: Insufficient sleep may increase blood pressure
Other affected areas: Appetite, blood sugar, metabolism, body weight, and exercise motivation
Sleep quality concerns: Breathing problems, disturbances, stress, medication side effects, and underlying health conditions can impair sleep
Suggested habits: Keep a regular sleep-wake schedule, avoid late caffeine and heavy bedtime meals, limit alcohol, and remove bedroom distractions
When to seek advice: When difficulty falling asleep, repeated nighttime waking, or excessive daytime sleepiness persists

NDTV · 1 hr ago