Sleep is often one of the first things people sacrifice when life gets busy. However, getting enough quality sleep is essential for overall health. Sleep affects nearly every system in the body, including your heart, brain, and metabolism. We sat down with OCH’s Cardiopulmonary and Sleep Lab Manager, Howard Bennett, RRT-SDS to learn more about how sleep, or a lack of it, can affect different facets of the body.
Sleep and Heart Health
During sleep, your body works to repair and restore the heart and blood vessels. Consistently getting too little sleep has been linked to increased risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Lack of sleep can also lead to increased stress hormones and inflammation in the body, both of which can place additional strain on the heart. Howard tells us “83% of people with High Blood Pressure and 58% of people who have had a Stroke also have Sleep Apnea. Obstructive Sleep Apnea severely impacts the heart by causing recurring drops in blood oxygenation and forces the heart to work harder increasing your risk for heart attack and Stroke.”
Sleep and Brain Function
Sleep plays an important role in brain health. While you sleep, the brain processes information from the day, strengthens memory, and clears out waste products that build up during waking hours.
When sleep is limited or disrupted, it can lead to difficulty concentrating, mood changes, slower reaction times, and increased stress. Over time, chronic sleep deprivation may also affect long-term cognitive health.
“So many of our patient’s come in for their first consultation and state that they experience “Brain Fog.” When this starts happening, the patient may start having Impaired Judgement, while showing poor decision-making, and will have trouble completing tasks”, says Bennett. “Another serious consideration is that people with untreated sleep apnea are 15 times more likely to get into a motor vehicle accident. Rather this be running off the road or falling asleep at a red light. Drivers with untreated sleep apnea are just as dangerous as alcohol-impaired drivers.”
Sleep and Weight Management
Sleep also affects the hormones that regulate hunger and appetite. When you do not get enough sleep, your body produces more of the hormone that increases hunger and less of the hormone that helps you feel full.
This imbalance can lead to increased cravings, particularly for high-calorie foods. In addition, fatigue from poor sleep may reduce motivation for physical activity, which can further impact weight management.
Howard advises that “While being overweight can cause your sleep apnea to be worse, it is also a primary risk factor for developing sleep apnea. Then sleep deprivation creates a vicious cycle where the condition makes it harder to lose weight, sometimes requiring treatment to make weight loss possible.
In addition, Sleep Apnea has also been linked to Type 2 diabetes, nearly 72% of type 2 diabetics have sleep apnea.
The good news is that Sleep Apnea can be treated easily! If you suffer from any of the conditions mentioned above, seeking treatment can improve all this, in addition to making you feel better.”
Tips for Better Sleep
Improving sleep habits can make a meaningful difference in overall health. A few simple changes may help support better rest:
- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends
- Limit screen time before bed
- Avoid large meals, caffeine, or alcohol close to bedtime
- Create a quiet, dark, and comfortable sleep environment
- Stay physically active during the day
At Ozarks Community Hospital, our providers work with patients to identify underlying health concerns that may affect sleep and help develop personalized strategies to improve overall wellness. If you regularly have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling rested during the day, it may be helpful to speak with your healthcare provider.