Midlife women suffering from poor sleep face 75% higher CVD risk, 22-year study reveals
A landmark 22-year study found that midlife women with persistent insomnia and short sleep (fewer than five hours nightly) face up to a 75 percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease, independent of other factors like depression or hot flashes.
Women suffering from both insomnia and short sleep simultaneously experience the highest cardiovascular risk, a link that holds firm even after adjusting for confounding variables.
Just three nights of restricted sleep triggered measurable inflammation in young, healthy adults and high-intensity exercise could not fully counteract the cardiovascular burden.
Factors like sleep continuity, timing, satisfaction and regularity are critical; a person waking repeatedly throughout the night may suffer similar consequences to someone sleeping only five hours.
Sleep must be prioritized alongside diet and exercise in heart health prevention, with routine screening for sleep disorders and attention to systemic inequities that worsen sleep health for marginalized groups.
Read Full Article: https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-05-19-study-midlife-women-face-higher-cvd-risk.html
