Lack Of Sleep Increases The Risk Of Heart Disease, Fatal Heart Attacks

Regular physical activity, healthy diet, limited alcohol consumption and no smoking are the four lifestyle factors that cardiologists say contribute the most to prevention of heart disease. Now research in The Netherlands has found that sleep duration should probably be included. The study among more than 14,000 men and women (ages 20 through 65) showed that the usual four lifestyle habits reduced the risk of heart disease by 57 percent. But when a good night’s sleep – seven to eight hours – was added, the risk of heart disease was lowered by 65 percent, and the risk of fatal heart attacks dropped by 83 percent.