Sleep isn't only a time for rest and rejuvenation. It's also crucial for maintaining good heart health. During sleep, your body regulates blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital functions that keep your heart healthy. Chronic sleep deprivation, on the other hand, can lead to several health problems, including high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Sleep also helps reduce stress, another significant risk factor for heart disease. For trouble falling or staying asleep, snoring loudly, experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness, or experiencing other sleep-related issues interfering with your daily life, consult Dr. Jeremy D. McConnell at Florida Sleep Specialists.
Can Sleep Affect Your Heart?
Sleep plays a critical role in cardiovascular health. Research has shown that poor quality or insufficient sleep can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke. During sleep, the body performs vital functions that help to regulate the cardiovascular system, such as regulating blood pressure and reducing inflammation.
However, when sleep gets disrupted or has become inadequate, these processes may not function properly, leading to adverse health outcomes. For example, individuals who consistently receive six hours of sleep or less per night may have an increased risk of developing hypertension, which leads to heart disease and stroke.
Similarly, sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that causes breathing pauses during sleep, has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, as it can cause fluctuations in blood pressure and oxygen levels. Therefore, getting adequate, restful sleep is crucial for maintaining a healthy heart and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Consult Us For Better Sleep Quality
During an initial consultation for better sleep in Bradenton and Sarasota, FL, you can expect to thoroughly discuss your sleep habits, lifestyle, and underlying medical conditions that may affect your sleep. Dr. McConnell will ask questions to understand your sleep patterns and possible triggers for your sleep disturbances.
He may request you to keep a sleep diary to track your sleeping hours, the time it takes you to fall asleep, and any interruptions during the night. Dr. McConnell may also conduct a physical examination and recommend additional tests, such as a sleep study, to diagnose underlying sleep disorders.
Please visit our website to learn more about the conditions we treat and the services provided. If you have concerns regarding sleep in Bradenton and Sarasota, FL, or lack thereof, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeremy D. McConnell. We offer two convenient Florida Sleep Specialists locations for our patients. Please call (941) 792-8383 for our Bradenton office and (941) 827-0701 for our Sarasota location.