For the sake of your arteries, get more sleep
by Dr. Steven Heidinger, Moose Jaw Chiropractor
This is not the first time (nor will it be the last time) I’ve written about the importance of sleep. It is a topic I will often discuss with patients in my office as I feel it is one of the major factors affecting one’s overall health. Very recently, a study was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology associating sleep duration and cardiovascular disease, specifically atherosclerosis (unhealthy plaque formation in arteries). In their
study of almost 4,000 people, those who slept less than six hours each night, and those who experienced fragmented sleep, had significantly higher amounts of plaque formation in their arteries. These plaques were found in multiple places in the body, and not just around the heart. The health consequences of atherosclerosis can be dire, leading to early disability or even death, due to heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. Plaque buildup can affect brain function as well. Chronic poor sleep has also been associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia, possibly due to plaque formation in the brain.
For a variety of reasons, too many people do not sleep enough hours, or if they do, the sleep is too fragmented to be considered restorative. Deep sleep is necessary for the body to “reset” for the next day. Stresses of everyday life damage the body. Quality sleep helps to repair the effects of this damage.
Personally, I admit that I am borderline with my sleep habits. I probably average just over six hours of sleep. It is something I need to improve on. I don’t have a problem sleeping, as I tend to fall asleep within just a few minutes of my head hitting the pillow, however I like to stay up late (even if I am tired) and I like to get up early in the morning.
For those who struggle with falling asleep, or experience a disrupted sleep, the best way to combat that is with exercise. Research tells us it may be the best strategy to improving your sleep. Even just 10 minutes of exercise daily is enough to increase quality sleep time. Sacrificing sleep for whatever reason may do serious harm to your health. If there is just one healthful change you are looking to make this time of year, getting more sleep may be the easiest way to make the most out of a resolution.