Poor sleep may make you obese, diabetic and increases your risk for stroke and heart attack

A huge study from Korea showed: Sleeping less than 6 hrs is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for diabetes, stroke and heart attack.

What is metabolic syndrome?

• High blood pressure

• High blood sugar

• High blood fats (cholesterol, triglycerides)

• Overweight (extra fat around the midsection)

Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for

• Diabetes

• Cardiovascular disease (stroke, heart attack)

Study

2579 adults were included in the prospective cohort study. The sleep habits were investigated by life style surveys. Moreover participants were examined physically and had to share their medical history.

Findings

Participants who slept less than six hours a night were 41 percent more likely to develop metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is the most important risk factor for the most common causes of death like heart attack and stroke.

“The ‘short’ sleepers should be aware of the risks of developing metabolic syndrome, which could lead them to suffer from life threatening and chronic diseases,” lead author Dr. Jang Young Kim of Yonsei University in South Korea said by email.

How can you improve your sleep?

Here some more information about sleeping disorders and their treatment