Study shows not getting enough sleep causes major damage to your heart.
Missing just three nights of sleep can have serious consequences for heart health, according to a new study.
Researchers found that sleeping only about 4.25 hours per night for three consecutive nights triggered a spike in 90 different inflammatory proteins in the blood-many of which are tied to conditions like heart failure, coronary artery disease, and atrial fibrillation.
Even young, healthy individuals showed signs of heart stress, highlighting how quickly sleep loss can begin to damage the body.
The effects of poor sleep extend well beyond the heart.
Inadequate rest raises stress hormones, disrupts blood sugar levels, and throws appetite regulation off balance, increasing the risk of overeating, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes.
It also weakens the immune system and affects mental health by impairing mood, memory, and decision-making.
Over time, chronic sleep deprivation can reduce the body’s ability to recover from illness or injury and interfere with hormone balance. Simply put, good sleep isn’t a luxury-it’s a powerful protector of your heart and overall health.
SOURCE: https://biomarkerres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40364-025-00776-0