Having ongoing trouble getting a good night’s sleep, heart sisters? This common complaint may mean bigger problems than just feeling exhausted and cranky the following morning. Researchers at the University of Warwick and University College London in the U.K. reported this month that women who get less than the recommended eight hours of sleep per night are at higher risk of heart disease and heart-related problems than men with the same sleeping patterns.
The study, published on July 1st in the American journal, SLEEP, has found that levels of inflammatory markers vary significantly with sleep duration in women, but not in men. One of the markers, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), is considered to be predictive of future cardiovascular events. Levels of hs-CRP were significantly higher in women who reported sleeping five hours or less.
Find out more about this research report. Or learn some helpful techniques to beat insomnia with ‘good sleep hygiene’ (including why you should always turn your bedside alarm clock facing away from you).
** DO YOU LIVE IN THE TORONTO AREA? Have you had trouble falling/staying asleep or waking up too early for at least the past six weeks? You might be eligible to participate in a sleep study at Ryerson University. The study is being conducted to examine the preferences of persons with insomnia for medical and non-medical treatments for managing insomnia. For more info, contact Jessica at:
Insomnia Treatment Preferences Research
Health Intervention Research Centre
Ryerson University
Tel: 416-979-5000 ext. 2568
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