A new study reveals that sleeping less than 6 hours nightly significantly heightens premature death risk for individuals with hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or stroke.
Cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and hypertension continue to be leading global causes of death despite ongoing efforts to combat them. Research consistently shows that adequate sleep supports physical and mental health, yet its specific role in these conditions is often underappreciated. Experts from Penn State College of Medicine explored this link in a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
The researchers analyzed data from more than 1,654 adults aged 20 to 74 (average age 47.5 years; 52.5% women, 47.5% men). Participants were divided into two groups: those with stage 2 hypertension or type 2 diabetes, and those with heart disease or stroke. Sleep patterns were assessed in lab settings from 1991 to 1998, with follow-up through 2016. Of the cohort, 521 participants had passed away.
Key findings include:
– Individuals with hypertension or type 2 diabetes who slept less than 6 hours faced double the risk of dying from heart disease or stroke.
– Those with heart disease or stroke who slept less than 6 hours were three times more likely to die from cancer.
– For people with hypertension or diabetes, the risk of premature death was negligible when sleeping more than 6 hours per night.
Lead researcher Julio Fernandez-Mendoza states: "Our study suggests that achieving normal sleep duration may protect individuals with these conditions. Short sleep should be recognized as a formal risk factor."
The team recommends targeted interventions to extend sleep duration, potentially improving long-term outcomes. Further studies are needed to confirm how sleep therapies can lower mortality risks.
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