5. Insomnia/Apnea
Not getting enough sleep can trigger symptoms of stress as the body has not had the opportunity to get the restoration it needs. This condition can be acute, leading to short-term elevated heart rate and higher blood pressure.
However, if you have a poor sleep schedule or insomnia, then this can cause long term increases in your blood pressure and corresponding poor heart health.
In fact, sleeping for just 6 hours a night for 7 nights puts the body in a similar condition to going one full night without sleep! If you suffer from insomnia, then you may wish to speak with your GP about fixing your sleep patterns – using CBT can be a big help!
Likewise, if you are tired despite going to bed at a reasonable hour, it may be useful to observe your sleep to see if it is broken. A common cause of broken sleep is sleep apnea. This condition causes us to wake constantly throughout the night due to difficulties breathing. These wakeful periods are so short however that they often go unnoticed.