How your sleep struggles could increase your risk of silent killer – and how to spot it | The Sun
IT can be hard to drift off to sleep some nights.
But experts have warned that if you struggle to snooze, then you could be at an increased risk of a silent killer.
Research shows that this constant tossing and turning can lead to an increased risk of high blood pressure.
If you have the condition then you're more at risk of deadly strokes, heart failure and artery disease.
Experts at LloydsPharmacy found that almost half of Brits struggle to sleep at least three nights a week, with one in ten struggling to sleep every night.
Around 5.5million people are experiencing undiagnosed hypertension and the data from LloydsPharmacy comes after a separate study found that not getting enough sleep each night can increase your risk of multiple killer diseases.
Read more on sleep
Not getting enough sleep ‘increases your risk of multiple killer diseases’
Military hack promises to get you to sleep in two minutes & the US army use it
It found that people are 25 per cent more likely to die by the age of 75 if they don’t get enough kip.
Any less than five hours per night and you could be putting your health at risk.
Short sleepers have a 40 per cent higher chance of serious illness.
Cancer, heart disease and diabetes can all be triggered or made worse by tiredness.
Most read in Health
Record numbers of elderly people hospitalised for cocaine abuse
I was told I had growing pains when I was 12 – but the truth was devastating
I’m a dermatologist – the 4 most common skin conditions and how to fix them
Baldness cure breakthrough after scientists grow hair cells in laboratory
The research from LloydsPharmacy also found that a quarter of people who struggle with their sleep are also experiencing high blood pressure.
Almost half of those quizzed were unaware that lack of sleep can increase their risk of the condition.
But what are the signs of illness that you should be looking out for?
The NHS says there are six main symptoms:
- Blurred vision
- Nosebleeds
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Headaches.
LloydsPharmacy is raising awareness of the symptoms and is urging people to get their blood pressure checked.
Jagdeep Jalf, LloydsPharmacy Pharmacist said: “Hypertension is extremely common, but as it rarely has noticeable symptoms it can go untreated and put your health at risk.
"That’s why it’s so important for people of all ages to understand the triggers of high blood pressure and try to lower their chances of experiencing it.
Read More on The Sun
Free cash you can get on Universal Credit this Xmas you DON’T have to pay back
My 20min drive takes 2 HOURS due to roadworks for a bike lane no one will use
"We know that sleep can influence our health, so it’s interesting to see from our research just how many people who experience poor or broken sleep, as well as those who experience symptoms of high blood pressure or take medication for it.
"There are also a handful of people who don’t get enough sleep at night and, whilst they don’t currently experience symptoms of high blood pressure, they may have family members who do, which may mean you are more at risk of experiencing high blood pressure – making it increasingly important for everyone to be aware of the signs and risks of this condition."
Source: Read Full Article