Sleep problems, heart disease often in bed together

Disturbed sleep can trouble the heart and a troubled heart can disturb sleep

Sleep seems to be such a serene way to replenish energy and restore the mind. For your heart, blood vessels, and immune system, though, it's anything but peaceful. There are periods of calm, to be sure, but they are rudely interrupted by abrupt spikes in blood pressure and heart rate. Blood flow through the heart and brain varies widely during sleep, as do electrical activity in the heart, the elasticity of blood vessels, and the tendency of blood to clot. And all of this activity is just part of a normal night's sleep.

Researchers are just beginning to reveal the two-way street between sleep and heart disease: Poor sleep can interfere with the heart, and heart disease can disturb sleep.