Catching up on weekend sleep supports heart health and reduces risk
A new study by Korea University has revealed that making up for sleep debt on the weekends lowers the risk of hypertension.
Research conducted by scientists from Korea University and presented at the European Society of Cardiology conference in Munich showed that making up for a lack of sleep over the weekend is linked to better heart health and a lower risk of hypertension.
Details of the Study
Scientists from Korea University examined approximately 41,000 participants over a period of 7 years and presented their findings last weekend at the European Society of Cardiology conference held in Munich. The study found that weekend catch-up sleep in the general population is associated with a lower probability of hypertension.
The Impact of Sleep on the Body
Dr. Nawton Lee, one of the authors of the study, stated that not sleeping enough puts extra stress on the body, causing the heart and blood vessels to work harder, which can raise blood pressure. It was stated that sleeping a bit more over the weekend gives the body a chance to recover and can reduce this stress.
The Effect of Sleep Duration
The study found that an extra one hour and 27 minutes of sleep showed the greatest benefit on blood pressure and was linked to a 9 percent reduction in the likelihood of high blood pressure. On the other hand, it was determined that the risk of high blood pressure increased for those whose additional sleep time exceeded 4 hours.
Sedentary Lifestyle and Benefits
A greater benefit was observed in physically inactive participants, and the risk of hypertension in this group turned out to be 6.9 percent lower. It was emphasized that weekend catch-up sleep can provide additional benefits to those who do not get enough physical activity.
Exercise and Blood Pressure Management
Another study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine revealed that high-intensity interval training and aerobic exercises are effective for lowering high blood pressure.