Sleep and Heart Health

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Your Body During Sleep

By Linda Wasmer Andrews

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To understand sleep, you need to understand what kind of sleep you're getting.

Normal Sleep: Things You Should Know

Nonrapid Eye Movement (NREM):
When you first fall asleep, your brain and body enter a state known as NREM sleep. Adults spend about 75 percent of sleep time in this state, which progresses through four stages, from light to deep sleep. Your breathing slows during NREM sleep.

Rapid Eye Movement (REM):
The other 25 percent of sleep time is spent in REM sleep, during which dreaming occurs. In REM sleep, breathing becomes more rapid, irregular, and shallow. REM sleep occurs about every 90 minutes as you cycle through the NREM stages followed by REM sleep.

Disturbed Sleep: Things You Should Know

Researchers have linked lack of sleep and disturbed sleep to:

• Irregular heart rhythms
• Atherosclerosis
• Obesity
• Diabetes

Treating sleep problems may improve heart health-and vice versa. Keep reading to find out how differently the body reacts to normal sleep versus disturbed sleep.