Here’s a new reason to make consistent, restful sleep a family affair: a new study published in the journal Circulation finds that symptoms of insomnia can increase a man’s risk for heart-related death by up to 55%.
Researchers from Harvard University and Brigham and Women's Hospital analyzed self-reported insomnia data from 23,447 men and found that not only are symptoms of insomnia incredibly common among men, but they have a direct correlation with heart health. After adjusting for lifestyle, age, and chronic conditions, the men who reported having difficulty falling asleep were found to have a 55% increased risk of heart-related death, while those who experienced non-restorative sleep (i.e. not feeling refreshed upon waking up) were 32% more at risk.
More from Prevention: Can You Really Catch Up On Sleep?
It’s not breaking news that poor sleep isn’t good for your health—but its risk for death is certainly alarming. “We still don’t know the exact mechanisms,” says senior author Xiang Gao, MD, PhD, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. “We suspect it is due to their effects on inflammation, circadian hormone, and immune function.” The authors also note that previous studies have suggested that sleep disturbance can also hurt your metabolism and endocrine functions, send several physiological systems into premature aging, and put you at greater risk for depression, which is also associated with heart-related deaths. The bottom line: the better you sleep, the better you feel.
But who doesn’t know someone—man or woman—who has a problem falling asleep or waking up refreshed? “I expect to observe a similar pattern [in women],” says Dr. Gao. For now, follow this hour-by-hour sleep-better plan to secure the state of your slumber and your health.
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