Strategies to prevent heart disease
5. Get enough quality sleep
5. Get good quality sleep
7. Get regular health screenings
4. Maintain a healthy weight
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1. Don't smoke or use tobacco
2. Get moving: Aim for at least 30 to 60 minutes of activity daily
3. Eat a heart-healthy diet
4. Stay at a healthy weight
5. Get quality sleep
6. Manage stress
7. Get regular health screening tests
8. Take steps to prevent infections
5. Get quality sleep
People who don't get enough sleep have a higher risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes and depression.
Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep each night. Children usually need more. So make sure you get enough rest. Set a sleep schedule and stick to it. To do that, go to bed and wake up at the same times each day. Keep your bedroom dark and quiet, too, so it's easier to sleep.
Talk with your healthcare professional if you feel like you get enough sleep but you're still tired throughout the day. Ask if you need to be checked for obstructive sleep apnea. It's a condition that can raise your risk of heart disease.
Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include loud snoring, stopping breathing for short times during sleep and waking up gasping for air. Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea may involve losing weight if you're overweight. It also might involve using a device that keeps your airway open while you sleep. This is a continuous positive airway pressure device, also called a CPAP.
