How much sleep is healthy for you?

In August 2018, the Journal of the American Heart Association published a systematic review that examined the impact of sleep duration and quality on cardiovascular risk. Researchers from the British Keele University evaluated the results of 74 studies that were published between 1970 and 2017 and included more than three million participants.

The study concluded that not only shortened but also prolonged sleep is significantly associated with health consequences.

With increasing divergence from the recommended sleep duration, and especially a prolongation, the negative effects rose. Those who reported sleeping more than eight hours a day had a higher cardiovascular and mortality risk than those who slept less than seven hours. A daily sleep duration of more than ten hours even showed a 30% higher risk of mortality than from seven hours.

Researchers were able to show not only the effects of sleep duration, but also the effects in regards to quality. Restless sleep was associated with a significantly increased risk of developing coronary heart disease.

Ultimately, the analysis supported the current sleep recommendations and showed that not only sleep deprivation but also prolonged sleep is associated with health risks. The authors postulate that abnormal sleep may be an indication of increased cardiovascular risk. Therefore, they recommend that medical staff pay more attention to the sleeping behaviors of their patients, to specifically determine the duration and quality of sleep and, if necessary, to check for further risk factors of cardiovascular diseases.

Sleep behavior can not only provide clues for pathological changes, but also actively influence our health. For this reason, proper sleep is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and to keep our bodies and minds fit and healthy long-term.

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