MIAMI.- The lack of dream constitutes a “global epidemic”, which threatens the health and quality of life for almost half of the world’s population, according to the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM). Not sleeping well affects our immune system, causing medical problems that go beyond being sleepy or altering our mood.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), Lack of sleep can harm cardiovascular health over timeincreasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The evidence between sleep disruption and brain health is so compelling, the AHA added healthy sleep duration to its recommendations. “Life’s Essential 8” to minimize the possibility of suffering a stroke.
Sleep problems, according to an AHA scientific statement published in March 2024 by the journal Stroke, can increase the risk of cerebrovascular diseases, including damage to the blood vessels of the brain, including “silent” strokes, which go unnoticed. In addition, they can cause cognitive problems.
quality sleep
An adult, according to the heart association, should sleep between seven and nine hours each night. Susan Redline, professor of sleep medicine at Harvard Medical School, emphasizes that sleep must be quality.
“Even if you get at least seven hours of sleep, sleep interruptions can prevent you from getting enough sleep and also can cause unhealthy blood pressure surges” notes Redline, who co-authored the AHA statement.
It mentions that during the night people go through different phases of sleep and spend approximately a quarter of the time in deep (slow wave) sleep, a phase that is vital to restore energy and support memory.
Brain maintenance
He explains that blood pressure and heart rate are at their lowest during deep sleep. During this period the brain’s maintenance system (a series of channels called the glymphatic system, which drains cerebrospinal fluid) eliminates toxins, including beta-amyloid and other proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
“When people don’t get enough sleep, blood pressure may not decrease as it should. This can trigger the activity of cells in the walls of blood vessels and activate harmful inflammation. The lymphatic system, whose function depends on the health of the brain’s blood vessels, can fail,” according to the report. Harvard Health Publishing.
Brief interruptions in sleep, especially those caused by sleep apnea, can cause surges in the hormone epinephrine (which increases heart rate) and raise blood pressure, a problem known as nocturnal hypertension. “These elevations in blood pressure can leave people at risk for cerebrovascular problems.”adds Redline.
Multiple infarction dementia
In addition, small clots or microbleeds can damage small blood vessels deep in the brain and cause so-called silent strokes, which cause no noticeable symptoms. “But a series of such strokes over time can lead to a condition known as multi-infarct dementia,” notes the Harvard magazine.
Redline recommends that patients with sleep problems consult their doctor to identify and address the problem promptly.
Indicates that you can use portable devices (monitors worn on the wrist or finger) that have apps that measure sleep efficiency. This data may provide clues about brief awakenings and limb movements during sleep, Redline mentions.
Likewise, he advises following the steps of “Life’s Essential 8”, which are closely related to each other. “Think of sleep as one of the vital habits that helps reinforce all your other healthy practices,” she stresses.
Source: With information from Harvard Health Publishing
