Poor sleep is common in patients who undergo successful heart procedures, and a new study finds that it is a significant risk factor for poor cardiac results.
Less Sleep Can Lead To Heart Problems
Previous studies had shown that people who sleep less than six hours a night are more likely to develop heart problems than those who sleep seven. But this new study provided more details on the type of harm that disturbed sleep patterns can bring. University of Toronto researchers assessed the sleeping habits of 388 patients who underwent the nonsurgical procedure known as angioplasty to widen cardiac arteries narrowed by heart disease. A total of 62 percent had at least three symptoms of disturbed sleep, and 25 percent of the patients reported at least five. These symptoms included snoring, getting up at night to urinate, daytime sleepiness, and waking up during the night and being unable to fall back to sleep.
Disturbed Sleep Individuals Are More Likely To Suffer From A Heart Attack
The researchers found that those who reported the most symptoms associated with disturbed sleep were 67 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack, require a repeat procedure, or die within four years. This study shows that it isn’t only medication or lifestyle changes that contribute to successful cardiac outcomes — sleep habits also play a key role.