It’s a common belief: if we skimp on sleep during the week, we can just sleep in over the weekend to make up for it.
But recent research shows that this idea might be more myth than reality. Studies have found that our hearts might be paying the price when we try to play catch-up with our sleep.
What Did the Study Find?
Researchers from Penn State conducted a study with 15 healthy young men. Over 11 days, the participants first got lots of sleep, then had their sleep cut short, and finally, they tried to catch up on lost sleep.
Throughout the experiment, the researchers kept track of the participants’ heart rates and blood pressure.
The findings were concerning:
After short sleep nights, participants’ heart rates went up with each passing day. From a starting rate of 69 beats per minute (BPM), the average heart rate climbed to 78 BPM by the end.
Their blood pressure also rose steadily. The starting average was 116 mmHg, and by the end, it was nearly 119.5 mmHg.
Even after the extra weekend sleep, these numbers didn’t go back down to normal.
In simpler terms, missing out on sleep repeatedly seemed to have a lasting effect on heart health. And trying to make up for it over the weekend didn’t seem to help.
Why Does This Matter?
Heart health is a big deal. When our heart rate or blood pressure stays high for long periods, it can make us more prone to heart problems down the road.
The fact that most adults in the U.S. (only 65% sleep the recommended seven hours per night) means many might be unknowingly putting their hearts at risk.
Anne-Marie Chang, one of the researchers, pointed out that this study offers a glimpse into why not getting enough sleep might be linked with heart disease in the long term.
The Takeaway
The research underscores the importance of consistent good sleep. It’s not just about feeling awake and alert; it’s about long-term health benefits.
Sleep impacts so much more than we realize – from our heart health to our mental well-being, to our relationships and overall quality of life.
Chang expressed a hope that, as we learn more about sleep’s importance, it will become a priority in our health and daily routines.
So, rather than assuming we can always catch up on sleep, it’s time we prioritize it every day. Because, as it turns out, our hearts are counting on it.
If you care about sleep quality, please read studies about how to sleep to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, and this herb could help you sleep well at night.
For more information about sleep and health, please read studies about painkillers that could harm your sleep, and heavy blankets could harm sleep.
The study was published in Psychosomatic Medicine.
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