Nurturing Women's Heart Health: Exploring the Connection with Quality Sleep
Women, Heart Health and Sleep
Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States? The symptoms and risk factors of heart disease differ between women and men, making it essential to understand these disparities. February is American Heart Month, a month-long campaign focused on heart health education and disease prevention. This is the perfect opportunity to learn about the significance of heart-healthy habits, the importance of quality sleep, and how sleep deprivation can impact the heart.
Heart Disease Risk Factors Unique Among Women
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, there are certain heart disease risk factors that both men and women share, such as smoking, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and having a family history of heart disease. However, other risk factors are more common among women or may affect them more significantly. Two of these risk factors are related to menopause. Some women may experience high testosterone levels before menopause begins, and others may experience high blood pressure during menopause. These risk factors are associated with a greater likelihood of developing heart disease. Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are more common in women and can increase the risk of heart disease. Women are also at risk of heart disease due to factors such as stress and depression, which they experience more frequently than men. Due to low awareness of lesser-known risks in women, lack of awareness itself is a risk factor.
Beyond Chest Pain - Women’s Heart Disease Symptoms
Chest pain is the classic symptom of a heart attack in both men and women, but there are subtler signs of a heart attack in women that can be missed by patients and doctors alike. Indigestion, back pain, and shortness of breath are symptoms women may experience and are often attributed to other conditions that make them hard to detect.
The Sleep Heart Connection
It used to be that a heart-healthy lifestyle meant eating a well-balanced diet and getting enough physical activity. Sleep is now considered an additional pillar of good health and is critical to heart health. According to the Sleep Foundation, less than two-thirds of women get the required seven to nine hours of sleep recommended per night. Lack of quality sleep, even for one night, can cause daytime fatigue, lack of mental focus, and difficulty carrying out daily tasks. While not getting enough sleep may be fine for a night or two, prolonged lack of sleep can take a toll on the heart.
Sleep is More Than Just Rest
Getting enough sleep is vital for optimal physical and mental health. During sleep, the body undergoes various critical processes. As your body slows down, your blood pressure naturally drops. However, if you do not get enough sleep, your blood pressure remains high for extended periods, leading to hypertension, a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Additionally, hormonal changes occur when you do not get enough sleep. Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, increases, while leptin, the fullness hormone, decreases. This hormonal imbalance can cause overeating, consuming more calories, ultimately leading to weight gain. Being overweight can lead to obesity, which is also a significant risk factor for heart disease.
Sleep Apnea in Women
Sleep apnea is a severe sleep disorder that causes breathing to stop and start repeatedly during the night. Although it is thought to affect men primarily, women's risk of developing sleep apnea increases as they age. The hormonal changes that women experience throughout their lives can cause sleep apnea to appear at different times, including during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Both men and women with sleep apnea often experience symptoms of snoring and daytime fatigue, but research shows women are more likely to suffer from insomnia and depression. Because men are more commonly associated with sleep apnea, and because women’s symptoms can be misdiagnosed, it is essential to be treated if sleep apnea symptoms persist. When severe, sleep apnea has been associated with heart failure, coronary artery disease, and stroke.
American Heart Month is ideal for reviewing heart-healthy habits, including getting quality restorative sleep. Women, in particular, should pay attention to symptoms that could be indicative of a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, since they are frequently ignored or misdiagnosed.
To learn more about sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment, visit betternight.com.