The Science of Sleep and Why It Matters
Your body’s internal clock runs on a delicate rhythm called the circadian cycle. When you get enough quality sleep, your blood pressure dips naturally, your heart rate stabilizes, and your brain clears out toxins that accumulate during the day. When you don’t your heart, blood vessels, and brain remain under constant strain.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, adults who consistently sleep less than 6 hours a night face a 20–30% higher risk of heart attacks and stroke. Chronic sleep deprivation also increases stress hormone levels, disrupts glucose metabolism, and weakens immunity.
Common Sleep Disorders Treated at LECC’s Sleep Clinic
Our Sleep Clinic in Lagos provides diagnosis and personalized management for a range of sleep-related disorders. Some of the most common include:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): A condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to throat muscle relaxation. Common symptoms include loud snoring, morning headaches, and daytime sleepiness. Left untreated, OSA can cause high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and even heart failure.
- Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep despite having the chance to rest. Chronic insomnia can lead to anxiety, irritability, poor concentration, and cardiovascular issues.
- Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS): A neurological condition that causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs, leading to an irresistible urge to move them, especially at night.
- Narcolepsy and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: These disorders cause people to fall asleep suddenly during the day, even in the middle of routine activities. They often point to underlying neurological dysfunction.
How the LECC Sleep Clinic Works
When you visit the LECC Sleep Clinic, you’ll be cared for by a multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, neurologists, and sleep specialists who understand that sleep affects every part of your body.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Comprehensive Evaluation: We start by understanding your sleep habits, medical history, and symptoms.
- Sleep Study (Polysomnography): You may be advised to undergo an overnight sleep study which is a painless, non-invasive test that records your brain waves, breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and heart rate.
- Personalized Treatment Plan: Based on your diagnosis, we design a plan that may include lifestyle changes, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, medication, or further cardiac evaluation.
The Link Between Sleep and Heart Health
Most people don’t realize that poor sleep can strain the heart just as much as poor diet or lack of exercise. During deep sleep, blood pressure and heart rate drop, giving your cardiovascular system a much-needed rest. When that rest doesn’t happen, your heart works overtime.
Studies from the National Sleep Foundation and European Society of Cardiology show that sleep disorders like sleep apnea double the risk of developing hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and stroke.
Patient Story: When Fatigue Wasn’t Just Fatigue
For years, Mr. Tunde, a 45-year-old banker in Lagos, blamed his exhaustion on stress and long work hours. But his wife noticed that he often stopped breathing in his sleep.
After a consultation at LECC’s Sleep Clinic, tests revealed that Tunde had severe obstructive sleep apnea.
With CPAP therapy and lifestyle adjustments, Tunde noticed improvements within weeks, his morning headaches vanished, his energy returned, and his blood pressure normalized.
He later described the experience as “finally waking up after years of not truly sleeping.”
Improving Sleep Naturally: Tips from Our Sleep Specialists
Small, consistent changes can transform your sleep and protect your heart.
- Maintain a Sleep Schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time daily, even on weekends.
- Limit Caffeine and Alcohol: Especially in the evening, as both disrupt sleep cycles.
- Create a Calm Sleep Environment: Keep your room cool, dark, and quiet.
- Avoid Screens Before Bed: Blue light from phones and TVs interferes with melatonin production.
- Exercise Regularly: Physical activity helps regulate sleep hormones and reduces stress.
If these changes don’t help, it’s time to seek professional evaluation not every sleep problem can be fixed with routine habits.
Your Health Deserves Real Rest
Poor sleep isn’t a minor inconvenience, it’s a serious health concern that affects your heart, brain, and daily life. The good news? It’s treatable.
At the Lagos Executive Cardiovascular Centre Sleep Clinic, we help you uncover the root cause of your sleep struggles and guide you toward effective solutions. Whether it’s snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, or fatigue, our team is ready to help you sleep and live better.
Book a Consultation Today
📞 +234 817 365 1737
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