How Sleep Impacts Your Heart
Introduction. Sleep is a fundamental body function and plays an integral part in overall physical and mental well-being. While many know that insufficient sleep will leave one feeling tired and less productive, few know that it can have a tremendous impact on the health of one's heart. Evidence indicates that short sleep, bad sleep, and sleep disorders have the potential to elevate blood pressure and increase heart disease and stroke, as well as other cardiovascular diseases. The heart is a working organ that pumps blood across the body 24/7. Sleep allows the cardiovascular system to rest and recuperate. When sleep is consistently broken or poor, though, it puts strain on the heart, which can have severe health implications in the long term. Knowing how sleep and heart health are connected can assist people in making healthier lifestyle decisions and mitigating the risk of heart related illnesses. This article discusses how sleep influences heart health, the dangers of unhealthy s...