Lack of sleep found to be dangerous

http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/09/late-nights-early-mornings-a-ticking-time-bomb-for-health/





While many people understand the health benefits of having a good night's sleep, researchers have discovered that those who do not get enough are more likely to suffer a cardiovascular disease or stroke. A study published in the European Heart Journal found that people who have disturbed sleep or less than six hours of sleep a night have a 48% chance of developing or dying from heart disease and a 15% chance of having or dying of a stroke. Research also says that people who don't get enough sleep a night suffer hormone imbalances that can lead to type 2 diabetes and elevated blood pressure. The study is a meta-analysis of 15 other studies, which represent nearly 475,000 adults from the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and Israel. Experts say that six to eight hours of sleep a night will improve your chances of not suffering from these conditions, but they also warn that excessive sleep could be a warning of an impending heart condition or other disease.



Opinion: This study should be an eye-opener for many. With the threat of diabetes, strokes, and heart disease, it should get the attention of those who don't bother to get enough sleep. With the hectic pace of life that has become standard for so much of the world,it is understandable why a lack of sleep has become commonplace. But when I look at these figures, I believe that we all need to get a few more hours of shuteye. With a 50/50 chance of having a stoke for those who don't get enough sleep a night, and higher rates of diabetes and heart disase, I can't imagine why some people stay up so late.