Sleep Quality Key to Preventing Heart Disease in Women Over 45, Study Reveals
New research highlights the crucial role of good sleep alongside other health factors in reducing cardiovascular risks during menopause transition.
Watan-Sleep is no longer seen merely as a state of mental and physical rest; today, it is recognized as a crucial factor in preventing heart disease, especially among women over the age of 45, according to a recent study published in the journal Menopause.
According to the World Health Organization, the study—led by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Baylor University—found that sleep disorders in middle-aged women, particularly those with high blood pressure or who smoke, are strongly linked to a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
A Comprehensive Heart Health Assessment
The study relied on a scale developed by the American Heart Association known as the “Life’s Essential 8 (LE8),” which includes eight core factors: sleep quality, diet, physical activity, smoking abstinence, body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and blood lipids.
According to the assessment results, only one in five women undergoing menopause transition achieve an ideal score on this scale. Sleep quality, alongside blood pressure, blood sugar, and smoking, emerged as critical predictors of future heart disease risk.
A Critical Phase… And a Golden Opportunity
Commenting on the findings, Dr. Samar Khudari, Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh, said:
“We knew that the pre-menopausal phase is marked by an increase in heart risks for women. What this study confirms is that this phase also represents a valuable opportunity for early intervention and improving heart health.”
The study included nearly 3,000 women from diverse ethnic backgrounds, as part of a long-term research project called the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN), which began in 1996. Researchers monitored the participants’ health changes as they aged and evaluated the impact of various health factors on their hearts.
Better Sleep… Longer Life
Follow-up results showed that while sleep is not directly linked to short-term artery changes, it is strongly associated with the likelihood of developing heart disease or dying from any cause in the long term.
Lead researcher Ziyuan Wang said:“Good sleep, estimated at 7 to 9 hours per night, may be a key factor in promoting heart health and longevity. However, more clinical studies are needed to confirm this relationship.”
A Call for Early Intervention
Dr. Samar Khudari warned in conclusion that heart disease remains the leading cause of death among women, making it essential to improve lifestyle habits and treat risk factors early—especially during the post-menopausal phase.
