Here’s how sleep benefits your heart:
- Lower Blood Pressure: When you sleep, your body gets a chance to reduce blood pressure. Poor sleep can lead to elevated levels, increasing the risk of heart disease.
- Stress Reduction: A good night’s sleep helps lower stress hormones like cortisol, which can put strain on your heart if left unchecked.
- Heart Rate Regulation: Sleep allows your heart to take a break, lowering your resting heart rate and giving it the recovery time it needs to stay strong.
- Manage Inflammation: Poor sleep can lead to increased inflammation, which is linked to atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in your arteries) and other heart issues.
Prioritising sleep is one of the easiest ways to protect your heart. Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night to support your cardiovascular health.
Are you getting the rest your heart deserves?
Sleep well, live well!
The Nepean Cardiology Team