Overlooked Secret Weapon Against Stroke
Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in America for 100 years.
And with the recent dramatic rise in obesity and type 2 diabetes, things are only going to go from bad to worse.
But there’s more to heart health than losing a few pounds, eating all the right foods, or even exercising regularly.
(Although all of those DO have their place.)
A recent study identified an often-overlooked factor that plays a significant role in heart health.
The older you get, the harder it can be to get a good night’s sleep—one in which you fall asleep immediately, don’t get up three times to go to the bathroom, and wake up in the morning feeling well-rested and ready for your day.
(Ah, the good ‘ol days.)
Here’s the thing: Quality sleep does far more for you than making you alert the next day. It also plays a vital role in heart health.
In a study examining data from 15,000 people averaging 66 years old, researchers found the people who regularly slept well had a significantly lower risk of developing…
- heart disease,
- cardiovascular disease, or
- stroke during the study.
The researchers looked closely at factors like bedtime, sleep quality, sleep duration, and midday napping.
Of course, there’s far more to heart health than getting good sleep. However, this study makes it clear that quality sleep must be factored into the equation.
Skip it at your own risk.
And hands down, the best way to improve your sleep (and therefore your heart risk) is to maintain a consistent sleep/wake routine that includes getting direct sunlight at sunrise and limiting exposure to blue light at night.
P.S. The secret to falling asleep FASTER and staying asleep LONGER revealed.
SOURCE:
Diao T, Liu K, Lyu J, et al. Changes in Sleep Patterns, Genetic Susceptibility, and Incident Cardiovascular Disease in China. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(4):e247974. doi: 10.1001 /jamanetworkopen. 2024.7974
