We all know that a bad night’s sleep can leave us feeling exhausted the next day. There are multiple studies that analyze the health risks of having insomnia, sleeping at odd hours or having intermittent sleep. Thus, it is observed that blood pressure can affect the heart, kidney and cause obesity and diabetes.
Now, a study carried out by the University of California in San Francisco (USA) You’ve found another reason to try to get a good night’s sleep. According to his research, poor sleep is linked to a significantly higher chance of experiencing atrial fibrillation (AF) the next day, an irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, heart failure, stroke, and other heart-related problems.
A poor night’s sleep was associated with a 15% increased risk of an AF episode, and continued poor sleep was associated with longer AF episodes. The researchers noted that it is important to treat the underlying disease that may be causing AF, which is the most common type of arrhythmia: when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly.
The new study shows that strategies to improve overall sleep quality may also help. “Treating insomnia can be challenging, but in many cases, there are things within an individual’s control that can significantly improve sleep quality,” said the corresponding author. Gregory M. Marcus cardiologist and electrophysiologist at UCSF Health.
Among other recommendations, the study suggests going to bed at a reasonable and consistent time; avoid alcohol and caffeine before bed; using the bed only for sleeping or having romance; exercise regularly, keep your room cool, avoid naps, and wake up at the same time every day.