February is Heart Awareness Month and you’ve probably heard all about how diet and exercise can keep your heart healthy by now. But, did you know that sleep directly correlates to heart health? REM and non-REM sleep is actually crucial for your heart rate. In this article, we will go over how this affects your heart health and different ways seniors can achieve better sleep.
Heart Rate During The Stages of Sleep Each cycle or phase of sleep affects the speed of your heart rate and contributes to the health of your heart. When we first drift off to sleep, our heart rate starts to slow down to its resting rate – meaning our hearts don’t have to work so hard to pump blood throughout our bodies. This stage of light sleep (or Non-REM sleep) is how most of us spend half of the night. When we enter the next phase of sleep, deep sleep, our blood pressure drops and our heart rate slows even more – up to 30% below the resting rate. Then there is an even deeper sleep REM (rapid eye movement) that happens when we dream. During REM sleep, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, causing an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. This is thought to be a protective mechanism to help the body respond to potential danger or stressful situations – like being chased in a bad dream. So, what does this all really mean? In short, entering each stage of sleep successfully every night allows the heart to properly rest and recharge. This is so important because poor sleeping patterns have been linked to a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease and strokes. If you or a loved one is having trouble sleeping well, our caregivers in Morris County have put together a list of different ways older adults can improve their sleeping habits. Ways Seniors Can Sleep Better
At Lester Senior Living, our seniors sleep more soundly knowing that one of our staff members is always onsite, and ready to help if the need arises. We can also help residents improve their sleeping habits by changing their bedroom environment and discussing what actions they could take to achieve better sleep. For more information about how we can help seniors sleep better, or if you have any questions about our assisted living in Morris County, please contact us today by visiting our website at: https://jchcorp.org The original blog is posted on - https://jchcorp.org/how-rem-sleep-affects-your-heart/
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AuthorWe offer seniors a range of options in terms of housing, services, amenities, location and cost, all within the Jewish tradition: independent living, assisted living, memory care, respite, affordable housing, enriching programs, and on-site services for our residents, many of whom have special needs. Archives
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