HHS HealthBeat (September 20, 2006)

Sleep deprived

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ray Sass with HHS HealthBeat.

Not getting enough sleep could mean more than being tired.

A study says middle-aged people getting five or less hours of sleep instead of seven to eight hours double their risk of high blood pressure.

Dr. James Gangwisch of Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health:

"When we sleep, our blood pressure and our heart rate decreases by an average of 10 to 20 percent. If we have short sleep durations over a long period of time, then our average 24 hour blood pressure and heart rate increase." (11 seconds)

Sleep deprivation can also lead to obesity, diabetes and depression.

Gangwisch suggests making sleep a higher priority, and keeping your bedroom comfortable, dark, and quiet. Avoiding alcohol, caffeine and nicotine before bed can help too.

The study in the American Heart Association’s journal, Hypertension, was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ray Sass.

Last revised: September, 26 2006