“I thought I was just tired. I didn’t realize my heart was, too.”
A lot of people think of sleep as a luxury. Something you catch up on over the weekend or squeeze in between responsibilities. In Lagos, where the hustle is real and the traffic never ends, most adults function on 4 to 5 hours of sleep, sometimes even less. But what if we told you that poor sleep could be silently hurting your heart?
At Lagos Executive Cardiovascular Centre (LECC), we see a surprising number of patients who don’t smoke, eat fairly well, exercise occasionally and yet, still end up with high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, or even heart failure. One factor we almost always find in common? Chronic poor sleep.
The Sleep–Heart Health Link: More Serious Than You Think
Your body isn’t just “resting” during sleep, it’s healing, balancing, and regulating vital functions. That includes:
• Blood pressure control
• Hormone production
• Heart rate regulation
• Repair of blood vessels
When you consistently get poor sleep, your body remains in a state of stress and the heart feels it. Over time, this can lead to:
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Heart arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat)
• Increased risk of stroke or heart attack
• Insulin resistance and weight gain (indirectly stressing the heart)
Real Case: When Sleepless Nights Became a Heart Emergency
Mrs. Adebayo, a 44-year-old banker, came to LECC with palpitations and fatigue. She assumed it was stress or perimenopause. But after a full cardiac workup and sleep study, we found she had undiagnosed sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep.
Her heart was literally struggling through the night. With proper treatment, including sleep therapy and lifestyle changes, her heart rate normalized and her blood pressure dropped. The best part? She finally started feeling like herself again.
What Is Sleep Apnea and Why Should You Care?
Sleep apnea is one of the most dangerous sleep-related conditions affecting heart health. It occurs when your airway becomes partially or fully blocked during sleep, leading to repeated interruptions in breathing.
Warning signs include:
• Loud snoring
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Headaches in the morning
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mood swings or irritability
Sleep apnea increases the risk of heart disease by more than 50%. And yet, many Nigerians don’t even know they have it.
At LECC, we offer sleep assessments as part of our comprehensive cardiology and pulmonology services, especially for patients with unexplained high blood pressure or fatigue.
How Much Sleep Does Your Heart Really Need?
Adults generally need 7 to 9 hours of good-quality sleep every night. But it’s not just about quantity, quality matters.
Signs you’re not sleeping well include:
• Waking up tired even after “enough” hours
• Tossing and turning frequently
• Frequent nightmares or restlessness
• Falling asleep during meetings, in traffic, or while watching TV
If any of these sound familiar, it may be time to take your sleep more seriously not just for rest, but for your heart.
LECC’s Lifestyle Advice for Better Sleep (and Better Heart Health)
While every patient’s needs are unique, these habits can help improve sleep naturally:
• Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day (yes, even on weekends)
• Avoid caffeine or heavy meals after 7pm
• Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and distraction-free
• Limit screen time before bed, phones and TVs can overstimulate your brain
• Try deep breathing or short bedtime stretches to calm your body
• Talk to a doctor if you snore, gasp in your sleep, or wake up feeling tired
Good sleep isn’t selfish, it’s essential.
When Should You See a Cardiologist?
If you experience:
• Constant fatigue
• Chest discomfort
• Shortness of breath during sleep
• Unexplained high blood pressure
• Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
… it’s time to consult a specialist.
Our cardiology team at LECC works closely with pulmonologists and sleep experts to identify hidden causes of heart strain, including poor sleep. We don’t just treat symptoms; we investigate the full picture.
Final Thoughts: You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup
We live in a culture that glorifies hustle and sleep deprivation. But here’s the truth: sleep is not the enemy of success, it’s the foundation of long-term health.
Don’t wait for a heart scare to start caring about rest. Your heart is working for you every second. Give it the chance to recover, beat strong, and serve you for many years to come.
📞 To book a sleep or cardiac evaluation, call +234 817 365 1737
📧 Email: contact@thelecc.com
🌐 Visit: www.thelecc.com
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