Sleep deprivation increases stroke and heart disease risk

Lack of sleep
Chronic sleep shortage is linked to increased risk of heart disease. Photograph: Guardian


The trend for late nights and early mornings was described as "a ticking time bomb" by the researchers at the University of Warwick who linked a lack of sleep to a range of disorders which often result in early death.


She and Professor Francesco Cappuccio, who co-authored a report published in the European Heart Journal, followed up evidence spanning seven to 25 years from more than 470,000 participants across eight countries, including Japan, the US, Sweden and the UK.




He also warned of the implications of sleeping too much, more than nine hours at a stretch, which may be an indicator of illness, such as cardiovascular disease.


Ellen Mason, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "We know sleep is essential for staying healthy and this research adds further evidence about the possible consequences for our health if we don't get enough.

"Although there appears to be an association between heart and circulatory disease and lack of sleep, it is not yet fully understood. There seem to be some hormonal and chemical changes in the body when lack of sleep occurs, so over a period of time these may have some impact on the heart and circulatory system."

"There are plenty of reasons why sleep deprivation is a problem. Easy internet access, a growing number of TV channels, financial worries and longer working hours all distract us from going to bed. But it's important more of us make sleep a priority and get our restorative six-eight hours a night."