How Does Lack of Sleep Cause Heart Disease?

According to research, chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk of developing various health issues, including heart disease. This article will examine how a lack of sleep might lead to heart disease.

Sleep is essential for regulating many bodily systems, including the cardiovascular system. The body repairs and heals the heart and blood arteries during sleep, critical for maintaining optimal cardiovascular function. Prolonged sleep loss interrupts this healing process and can lead to various cardiovascular issues.

Inadequate sleep can promote heart disease by raising inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a normal immunological reaction that aids the body in fighting infection and healing damage. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, can contribute to the development of various disorders, including heart disease. Sleep deprivation has been proven to enhance the body’s production of inflammatory markers, which can lead to cardiovascular issues.

Lack of sleep can also contribute to heart disease by raising the number of stress hormones in the body. For example, prolonged sleep deprivation has been proven to increase cortisol levels, a hormone secreted in reaction to stress. Elevated cortisol levels can raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels, risk factors for heart disease.

Besides these methods, a lack of sleep might impair the body’s capacity to control glucose metabolism. Sleep deprivation has been found to promote insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes and other metabolic diseases. These disorders are also linked to an increased risk of heart disease.