Researchers have discovered that getting enough of a specific type of sleep is linked to high blood pressure risk in older men. The slow wave sleep is one of the deeper stages of sleep and individuals in this stage are very hard to wake up. According to researchers from Harvard Medical school elderly men who are not getting enough of this slow wave sleep have dramatically higher risk of high blood pressure (hypertension).

The reasons for older men having decreased slow wave sleep include shorter sleep times, more frequent wakening during the night and severe sleep apnea. Susan Redline, MD and Professor Peter C. Farrell said “Our study shows for the first time that poor quality sleep, reflected by reduced slow wave sleep puts individuals at significantly increased risk of developing high blood pressure, and that this effect appears to be independent of the influence of breathing pauses during sleep.”

Researchers also explained that slow wave sleep has been linked to memory and learning as well as diabetes and metabolism problems.  “People should recognize that sleep, diet and physical activity are critical to health…Poor sleep may be a powerful predictor for adverse health outcomes” said researchers.

If you are experiencing sleep problems such as snoring or if you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea but are not treating your disease because you hate the CPAP machine please contact StoneRidge Dental Care in Columbus at 614-476-6696 today to find out more about oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.