{"id":17045,"date":"2023-02-03T11:32:30","date_gmt":"2023-02-03T17:32:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=17045"},"modified":"2023-02-03T11:36:46","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T17:36:46","slug":"can-you-sleep-your-way-to-a-healthier-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/can-you-sleep-your-way-to-a-healthier-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you sleep your way to a healthier heart?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re like most Americans, your heart health is less than optimal. According to recent research, only about 20% of tickers are in tip-top shape.<\/p>\n

Now, though, the American Heart Association<\/a> (AHA) highlights a new way to improve it: Getting sufficient sleep. Here\u2019s why\u2014and how\u2014to get it just right.<\/p>\n

The newest key to success<\/h2>\n

For more than a decade, the AHA has emphasized seven important strategies to improve heart health. They are:<\/p>\n

\n

Ready for better sleep?<\/p>\n

Follow these 4 tips<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
  1. Getting enough physical activity<\/li>\n
  2. Eating a nutritious diet<\/li>\n
  3. Not smoking<\/li>\n
  4. Maintaining a healthy weight<\/li>\n
  5. Controlling cholesterol<\/li>\n
  6. Stabilizing blood sugar<\/li>\n
  7. Keeping a handle on blood pressure<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In a brand-new update, AHA experts added sleep duration to this list. All together, these heart-healthy strategies are known as Life\u2019s Essential 8\u2122.<\/p>\n

    Why sleep matters<\/h2>\n

    Slacking on sleep\u2014or overdoing it\u2014can cause a wide range of negative health effects<\/a>, from depression to cognitive decline to heart disease.
    \nGetting just the right amount, meanwhile, leads to:<\/p>\n