The Right Amount Of Sleep Is Critical To Disease Prevention

Most people understand that getting too little sleep can be harmful to health. But now scientists are saying that too much sleep can be just as dangerous. Getting six hours or less of sleep a night – or 10 hours or more – have both been associated with a higher risk of chronic disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Short sleepers age 45 and older in the study experienced a higher prevalence of coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes, in addition to obesity and frequent mental distress compared with those who slept seven to nine hours a night (optimal). Associations with coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes were even more pronounced among those with more sleep.