Researchers from the Université de Montréal have found a link between
insomnia and cardiac problems. Twenty-four hour blood pressure monitoring
was performed on individuals with insomnia, and the findings revealed
insomnia raises blood pressure, and can lead to heart problems.
According to Paola A. Lanfranchi, a professor in the Université de Montréal
Faculty of Medicine and researcher at the Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal
Sleep Disorders Centre, “Over many years, chronic insomnia can have negative
effects on the hearts of otherwise healthy individuals. Whereas blood
pressure decreases in regular sleepers and gives their heart a rest,
insomnia provokes higher nighttime blood pressure that can cause long-term
cardiovascular risks and damage the heart.”
The study, published in the journal Sleep, highlights the importance of
getting a good night’s sleep to maintain cardiovascular health. Thirteen
health individuals with insomnia were compared to thirteen good sleepers for
the study. The group who experience insomnia was found to have higher blood
pressures during the night, correlating with the sleep-wake cycle.
Study co author Jacques Montplaisir, says insomnia can be especially risky
for those with pre-existing heart disease. Since blood pressure is
heightened among insomniacs, those with overt cardiac disease are
particularly at risk for progression of the disease.
Knowing that insomnia can damage the heart makes it important to seek
treatment. Poor quality sleep is linked to a variety of health risks,
including obesity and type 2 diabetes, and is now found to be bad for the
heart.
Source: University of Montreal Insomnia Study
