Over the course of your lifetime, you will spend about a third of it sleeping. With stimulants like coffee, tea, and even the blue light emitted from our devices, our natural, refreshed feeling is often imitated if we do not reach the eight-hour goal. The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults over 18 years of age to sleep between seven to nine hours each night, but personal recommendations could vary. In a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in three Americans get enough sleep each night. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is important to your health, even your cardiovascular health. If you need a holistic cardiologist on Long Island, a professional at Integrative Cardiology Care on Long Island (ICCLI) can help.

Your Risk of Heart Conditions Increases

When you sleep, your blood pressure naturally decreases, putting the body in a calming state. Insufficient amounts of sleep mean your heart stays at a faster rate for a longer period of time. Sleeping less than seven hours per night puts you at risk of developing chronic conditions. Talk to your holistic cardiologist on Long Island today to discuss how you can prevent the following conditions. They may include:

  • Heart attack
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Stroke
  • COPD  (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

 

Sleep Conditions and Your Heart Health

Sleep apnea and insomnia both can decrease the number of hours you sleep per night, leading to the heart conditions stated above. Do not hesitate to make an appointment with a holistic cardiologist on Long Island today if you feel you have either of these conditions.

  • Sleep apnea: Breathing stops temporarily when the air passages are blocked during sleep. Breathing is essential for your heart because you inhale oxygen and other gases, and exhale carbon dioxide. With sleep apnea, your intake of oxygen decreases.
  • Insomnia: Restlessness, whether falling or staying asleep, is a significant factor for insufficient sleep. One in two individuals have had short-term insomnia, and one in ten individuals have had long-term insomnia.

 

Other Risks

You are also at risk of making other unhealthy decisions when you are not well-rested. For instance, waking up tired in the morning will less likely motivate you to workout at the gym or make a healthy breakfast. Alternatively, you may choose an unhealthy, packaged breakfast if you do not have the time or effort to make one. Throughout the day, you also have higher stress levels. If you have any other questions, consider visiting a holistic cardiologist on Long Island.

 

How Can I Get Better Sleep?

Below are a few helpful tips for ensuring a good nights rest – 

  • Schedule your sleep: Try to keep a routine schedule of when you go to sleep and wake up in the morning
  • Screen time: Limit the usage of television and phone screens before you close your eyes. The screen light unnaturally keeps the mind awake when your body may feel tired.
  • Exercise: Exercising daily will keep your heart healthy. Try to avoid exercising within a few hours of falling asleep, though.
  • Diet: Eat a well-balanced diet to gain the energy you need to power through the day.

 

Maintaining your sleep schedule is important. So is taking care of your heart. Schedule an appointment with a holistic cardiologist on Long Island with ICCLI to do both!