A Recent Study Reveals the Link Between Lack of Sleep and High Blood Pressure
A recent study conducted by the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Center at Penn State College of Medicine, USA, found that teenagers suffering from insomnia and sleep deprivation are five times more likely to develop systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher compared to others.
Researchers warned that high blood pressure during adolescence could lead to lifelong heart health issues.
Dr. Julio Fernandez-Mendoza, director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Center, stated, “While we need broader studies on teenagers to better understand this link, we can confidently say that sleep is essential for heart health.”
In a press release issued by the American Heart Association, Mendoza explained that not all teenagers showing insomnia symptoms are at risk of cardiovascular problems. However, he emphasized the importance of monitoring sleep duration to identify those suffering from insomnia who are at higher risk of developing heart issues.
Brooke Aggarwal, spokesperson for the American Heart Association, highlighted the importance of the study’s findings, stressing the need to pay attention to teenagers experiencing sleep disorders, monitor their sleep objectively, and help them improve sleep quality to prevent early heart problems.
She added that sleep disorders beginning in adolescence may persist with age, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in the future.
