Heart Attacks in Young Adults: Is Your Irregular Sleep Pattern Increasing the Risk?

January 28, 2025

Heart Attacks in Young Adults: Is Your Irregular Sleep Pattern Increasing the Risk?

Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
28 January, 2025

Heart disease affects millions of individuals in India and the number is only increasing every year. Recent studies have shown that the incidence has nearly doubled in the last 3 decades. The numbers are different in rural vs. urban areas, with more cases being reported in cities. This can be attributed to a variety of reasons, some of which will be discussed in this blog. Heart disease is normally associated with ageing folk, but the number of cases seem to be higher than ever in younger individuals (below 40 years of age), with almost 25% of all heart attack cases affecting this age bracket. For some reason, we south east asians seem to be developing heart disease about a decade earlier than other countries of the west. Let us see how poor sleep habits figure in the larger picture.

How Sleep Deprivation Affects Heart Health

Sleep is a process that occurs in all organisms- in one or the other form. It is mainly restorative in nature- as it allows the boy to heal. This applies to the cardiovascular system too. Multiple studies show that the amount of sleep- not too low or too high, the quality and frequency- all determine how healthy you will be, as time progresses. This is accompanied with poor dietary choices and a sedentary lifestyle with no physical activity and sitting for long hours to get work done. When you don’t sleep well or enough, your body finds it hard to relax and the ‘fight or flight’ response is always present. Cortisol levels are also high- which can mean high BP, more stress, greater inflammation, heart issues and unnecessary weight gain- which can cause metabolic issues.

Early Warning Signs Of Heart Attacks In Young Adults

If you have persistent chest pain or sudden bursts of it that seems to radiate down your left arm from the shoulder or if you feel breathless, restless, have upper back pain and increased heartburn- all at the same point of time, or most of these symptoms, then you may be dealing with a cardiac event Get help ASAP!

Tips For Improving Sleep To Protect Your Heart

Practicing sleep hygiene before you go to bed is very important. You can use dim lights after dinner, because less light tells the eyes and the brain to slowly begin unwinding and shut down for the night. Try not to use your phone or laptop or any kind of screen and read or listen to your favourite podcast or book. Listening to soothing music is also a great idea. Aromatherapy seems to work for some people. Make sure to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up in the morning too. Don’t sleep for too long either. Plus, keeping your bed clean and warm is a good idea, but you should not feel too hot to fall asleep. It is easier to sleep in a colder room than an overly warm one.

Conclusion

Irregular sleep patterns can affect not just the heart and the circulatory system, but all the organs in the body gradually. The cardiovascular system is regulated by the immune system too which works well only if you get enough sleep and are in peak health. If you sleep less, it means more inflammation and an overactive immune system, which can cause other problems for you if left unchecked. There are instances where you may not be able to sleep normally- like with sleep apnoea. In that case, get help from a doctor- a sleep specialist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can irregular sleep patterns really increase the risk of a heart attack?

Yes, not sleeping enough or having poor quality of sleep, not sticking to a proper sleep schedule- all of these factors can increase your chances of suffering from a heart attack. Poor sleeping habits can cause high BP, chronic inflammation and increased stress- all of which are bad for your heart in the long run.

How much sleep is needed to maintain a healthy heart?

Most studies show that sleeping 7-9 hours per night is necessary to feel well rested and stay healthy- with a positive effect on the cardiovascular system.

Can stress and poor sleep habits lead to heart problems?

Yes, high amounts of cortisol can change your sleep cycle, cause depression, make you physically inactive and binge eat- these choices can backfire on you after a while.

Can treating sleep disorders help lower heart attack risks?

If you have sleep apnoea, then you will not be able to breathe normally and get a full night’s sleep. Chronic sleep apnoea can affect your health and daily performance in general. Talking to a sleep specialist can help you figure out what is wrong and how you can deal with your issue.

When should I see a doctor about my heart health and sleep habits?

If you sleep less or more, snore too much, have sleep apnoea and have other comorbidities- like diabetes or hypertension, then you may have to deal with inflammation and other related problems- which can affect your cardiovascular health adversely. If you notice poor performance, coupled with chest pain or other overt heart related symptoms, it is time to talk to a doctor.