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The duration of our sleep could significantly impact our heart health. A recent study, detailed in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (fn. 1) looked at the link between sleep duration and myocardial malfunction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack. The study was conducted on an extensive scale with over 460,000 participants. Understanding this connection is especially vital given the alarming prevalence and death rates associated with heart attacks in the United States. And it has special urgency for those who have a family history of heart problems. American Heart Association 2023 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics The American Heart Association's most recent statistics regarding heart disease and stroke include the following (fn. 2): Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is listed as the underlying cause of 928,741 deaths in the United States in 2020. CVD accounted for approximately 19.05 million global deaths in 2020. Heart disease and stroke claim more lives each year in the United States than all forms of cancer and Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease (CLRD) combined. CVD death can take on many forms. In 2020 in the United States, coronary heart disease (CHD) was the leading cause (41.2%) of CVD deaths, followed by stroke (17.3%), other CVD (16.8%), high blood pressure (12.9%), heart failure (9.2%), and disease of the arteries (2.6%). Non-Hispanic Black females and males had the highest prevalence of CVD in the US. From 2017 to 2020 in the United States, 59% of non-Hispanic Black females and 58.9% of non-Hispanic black males had some form of CVD. CVD accounted for 12% of total US health expenditures in 2018 to 2019. That is more than any major diagnostic group. SLEEP AND MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION The Sleep Categories: Short, Long, and the Goldilocks Zone The study categorized sleep into three groups: short sleep (less than 6 hours), long sleep (more than 9 hours), and the Goldilocks zone, representing the optimal 6 to 9 hours of nightly sleep. The findings were striking, revealing a significant association between sleep duration and the incidence of heart attacks. Short Sleepers: 20% Higher Risk Individuals classified as short sleepers, getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night, faced a 20% higher risk of experiencing a heart attack compared to those who achieved the recommended 6 to 9 hours of sleep. In the United States alone, where heart disease remains the leading cause of death, this statistic underscores the urgency of addressing sleep habits for overall cardiovascular health. Long Sleepers: 34% Higher Risk Surprisingly, long sleepers, those clocking in more than 9 hours of sleep each night, also showed a 34% higher risk of myocardial infarction. While the reasons behind this association are not fully understood, it highlights the complexity of the relationship between sleep and cardiovascular health. As heart disease continues to contribute significantly to the mortality rate in the U.S., understanding these nuances becomes crucial. Beyond Sleep Duration: Unpacking the Complexity The study did not stop at sleep duration alone. It considered other sleep traits and genetic predisposition to coronary artery disease. Even when accounting for these factors, the link between sleep duration and heart health remained significant. Moreover, individuals with a genetic inclination to coronary diseases saw their risk mitigated by maintaining a healthy sleep duration. Mendelian Randomization: Unveiling Causality To ascertain causality, the researchers employed Mendelian randomization (MR), a sophisticated technique using genetic variants as proxies for modifiable risk factors. The MR analysis consistently pointed to a causal relationship between short sleep duration and an increased risk of myocardial infarction. How a Lack of Sleep Can Affect Your Heart Health The Study does not hypothesize why the Goldilocks Zone is better for your heart health. By the Center For Disease Control notes that there are a number of factors that play a role in heart disease that could be improved by regular Good Sleep. (fn. 3) Blood pressure may play a role. "During normal sleep, your blood pressure goes down. Having sleep problems means your blood pressure stays higher for a longer period of time.4 High blood pressure is one of the leading risks for heart disease and stroke. About 75 million Americans—1 in 3 adults—have high blood pressure." Blood sugar levels, and diabetes, may also be affected by a lack of sleep. "Diabetes is a disease that causes sugar to build up in your blood, a condition that can damage your blood vessels. Some studies show that getting enough good sleep may help people improve blood sugar control." Obesity may also be affected by sleep--both too much sleep and not enough sleep. Getting insufficient sleep may affect that part of the brain that controls hunger. And getting too much sleep may result in a person burning less energy than necessary to maintain healthy weight. Unhealthy weight gain is one of the major factors in heart disease. It's also not clear if the study isolated for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea, in addition to reducing the amount of quality sleep one gets, also harms the heart by not getting enough oxygen into the body. Conclusion: A Wake Up Call to Prioritize Sleep In a nation grappling with the pervasive impact of heart disease, this study serves as a wake-up call. Prioritizing the Goldilocks zone of sleep duration—6 to 9 hours—emerges not just as a lifestyle choice but a crucial element in safeguarding heart health. The findings advocate for a holistic approach to well-being, where good sleep is not merely a luxury but a necessity. If you won't do it for yourself, do it for those who love you. Mahalo Mucho, Good Sleep Online Marketplace FOOTNOTES: Sleep Duration and Myocardial Infarction, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Volume 74, Issue 10, 2019, Pages 1304-1314. ISSN 0735-1097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2019.07.022 Heart disease and stroke statistics—2023 update: a report from the American Heart Association [published ahead of print January 25, 2023]. https://professional.heart.org/-/media/PHD-Files-2/Science-News/2/2023-Heart-and-Stroke-Stat-Update/2023-Statistics-At-A-Glance-final_1_17_23.pdf Center for Disease Control and Prevention, About High Blood Pressure, How Does Sleep Affect Your Heart Health? https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/sleep.htm KE:YWORDS Sleep duration and cardiovascular health Myocardial infarction risk factors Mendelian randomization analysis Cardiovascular risk profile Sleep disorders and public health Sleep and genetic predisposition to diseases Preventive cardiology and sleep interventions Heart attack

How Your Partner's Sleep Habits Impact Your Sleep Quality, and What You Can Do About It. No two people are alike. If people were shoes, there would be no matching pairs. When it comes to romantic relationships, being different can be exciting. A Doc Martin and a Birkenstock bring very different things to the table, as do a Louboutin and a Converse Allstar. But these differences can create problems when it comes to sharing a bed. In fact, sharing a bed is like a litmus test for a relationship. You could be the most compatible couple on earth in every other way, but if you can't reconcile your sleep differences, it could mean the end of your relationship. The National Sleep Foundation found that 61 percent of adults sleep with a bed partner and 1/4 to 1/3 of adults reported that their intimate relationship has suffered as a result of their partner's sleep problems.* Quality sleep is fundamental to our overall well-being, influencing mood, cognitive functions, and health. And this, in turn, is reflected in relationship satisfaction. If you are having trouble sharing a bed with your partner, it's important to diagnose the problem and work toward finding a solution. Good Sleep Online Marketplace can help. Here are some of the ways a bedroom can go wrong: Temperature Preferences: One person is so cold they would make an ice cube jealous, while the other is hotter than a jalepeno in July. What can you do? Bed Hogs: In the daytime your partner may be the most gentle, generous, benevolent, soft-hearted person in the world. But at night they turn into a sheet thief. A blanket bandit. A duvet desperado. A mattress jockey. A space invader. Committing linen larceny. Colonizing the nocturnal kingdom. Leaving you naked and afraid, fighting for your life in the middle of the night. The solutions may be simpler than you think. Restlessness: Is your bed like a bouncy house at night? Is your sleep disturbed because your partner's leg is constantly jiggling, or because your partner's body flips and turns like an olympic gymnast? This problems requires some creativity. Sleep Schedules and Routines: Mismatched sleep schedules can be a source of frustration for couples. Unfortunately it's not always possible to synchronize your sleep schedules, either because of work commitments, or because of your natural circadian rhythms. But there are ways to mitigate disruptions. Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Common sleep disorders like snoring and sleep apnea can disrupt not only the affected individual's sleep but also that of their partner. It's important to explore available treatments and lifestyle changes to mitigate the impact on both partners, fostering better sleep and increased relationship satisfaction. Matrress Preferences: Are you split between getting either a bed of nails or a bed of marshmallows? Are you going to have to sleep in separate beds? No! Or, at least, not exactly. Good Sleep Has Suggestions! Firstly: There's nothing wrong with having separate bedrooms. (And, maybe, sneaking into that separate bedroom as the need arises.). This is a completely legitimate practice and should rightfully be destigmatized. And Good Sleep is here to help if you do need to furnish that extra bedroom. But, for those who don't want to take that extra step, or who simply can't afford a larger place, Good Sleep has some solutions. Temperature Preferences: You can find products related to Temperature Regulation on the Hot & Cold page. Staying cool is more difficult than keeping warm. This is because it's harder, and generally more expensive, to subtract heat than it is to add heat. For staying cool, we recommend the following options: Portable air conditioner like this or this, to be kept on the hot person's side of the bed. Cooling comforters, and blankets, and pillow cases using patented Arc-Chill technology. (This stuff is AMAZING! Seriously, if you have hot flashes, we highly recommend this.). Bamboo Fiber products, such as these pajamas, and these sheets, and pillow cases, As noted earlier, keeping warm is less complicated than staying cool. To keep warm we recommend: portable heaters to accomodate either or both sides of the bed. Wearable blanket hoodies and sherpa fleece blankets. And, for the benefit of both of you, fuzzy thermal socks to cover those ice cold feet. Bed Hogs: Three words: Stop Sharing Blankets!!! There's no reason why you shouldn't each have your own blanket and comforter. In fact, some couples don't even bother with a top sheet. This way they can each move about freely without disturbing their partner, This also allows each person to decide if you need a blanket that provides coolness, or one that provides warmth, or one that provides security like this weighted blanket. For a variety of bed coverings, please check out our Hot & Cold page, our Stress Relief page, and even our Mother & Baby page. Restlessness: There are two ways to deal with the restless partner problem. One way is for the restless partner to address the factors that are making them restless. The other is for the victim of the restless partner to block out the disturbance. For the Restless Partner we recommend the following, which can be found on the Stress Relief page: A massage chair or a massage gun, heat or ice packs or devices, and arnica gel to soothe aching muscles. Weighted blankets or the Hug Sleep Hooded Sleep Pod Move to provide a feeling of security, as well as to physically weigh the restless person down. Vitams and supplements such as vitamin B complex, Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid supplement (aka GABA), Magnesium, vitamin D3, and, of course Melatonin. Aroma therapy using scented candles or a diffuser to calm the room. Essential oils for sleep include lavender, chamomile, bergamot, peppermint, cedarwood, sandalwood, and marjoram. Journals so that the restless person can unburden themselves of those restless thoughts. For the Person Who Loves the Restless Partner, we recommend the following items which can be found on the Light & Darkness page, the Sounds & Silence page, and the Stress Relief page: Eye masks. Ear plugs. A body pillow to place between you and your restless partner. Vitams and supplements to help you relax such as vitamin B complex, GABA, Magnesium, vitamin D3, and Melatonin. And maybe a catcher's mask if your restless partner kicks and swings a lot in their sleep. Sleep Schedules and Routines: When one person is a morning person, and the other person is a night owl, it can have a net negative effect on each partner's sleep. The morning person, who goes to bed early, can lose sleep in the evening if their partner is still tooling around. And the evening person, who gets up later, can lose sleep in the morning when the morning person starts bumping around the bedroom. Sometimes it's not possible to synchronize sleep schedules. However, small changes in your bedroom habits, including some sleep technology, could reduce disruptions, improve sleep quality, and increase relationship satisfaction. A couple of the above-listed solutions for Restlessness, Eye masks. and Ear plugs, could be helpful here. In addition we recommend, for the morning person, a wake-up light like the Philips or the Hatch or the Lumie. These devices mimic sunrise and can even offer wake up sounds. These devices provide a less jarring wake up experience that will be less disturbing to your partner. They also will help regulate your sleep rhythms by easing you into the morning. Aside from that, the couple could consider having a tech-free bedroom. This way, the other partner won't be disturbed by the use of a mobile phone or keyboard. Aside from devices, communication and compromise are key when considering conflicting sleep schedules. The morning person could help the evening person by getting the coffee started to preparing a simple breakfast for when the evening person eventually rushes out of bed. And the evening person could help the morning person by taking care of some of the end of day chores like doing dishes or preparing a sack lunch for the next day. Snoring and Sleep Apnea: If you snore, or if you think you may have sleep apnea, please, PLEASE, see a doctor. This could be a very serious condition. We have various products to help with snoring on our Breathing & Snoring page. Our recommendations include: Air purifiers . Products to strengthen your throat and lungs. A strong firm throat could help your partner to snore less. Mouth tape (although this only works if you can breathe through your nose). Neti pots and saline rinse, and/or allergy meds Nasal dilators and/or nose strips Side-Sleeping Backpacks. Forces you to sleep on your side to reduce snoring. Can also be worn on the front for stomach sleepers. C-pap machines and mouth pieces are best obtained through a doctor's prescription. Also, if you snore, doctors recommend avoiding alcohol in the evening. Alcohol causes the back of the throat to relax and increases the likelihood of snorting. (Sorry guys.). Mattress Preferences: When you and your partner cannot agree on the firmness of a mattress, ideally what you want is to be able to accommodate both. Here are some possible solutions. Invest in a sleep-number bed. Invest in a split king. This is a king bed that is split into two such that each side has its own mattress. Buy two twin beds and push them together. Insert twin-size mattress toppers under the fitted sheet so as to approximate the firmness you each would prefer. A Final Thought Mostly, sharing a bed requires creativity, flexibility, communication and compromise. Check out some of our recommendations and find out what works for you. Remember, when things get tough: Love is not about sharing a bed. Love is about Sharing your dreams. Mahalo Mucho, Good Sleep Online Marketplace Footnotes: *"Sharing the Covers: Every Couple's Guide to Better Sleep" by Wendy M. Troxel, PhD

Good Sleep Online Marketplace is here to provide you with the tools and techniques for a better night's sleep. Good sleep is underappreciated. The American Heart Association includes sleep as one of Life's Essential 8 heart health factors. Studies show that people who typically sleep less than six hours per night, so-called short sleepers, run a higher risk of heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, depression, suicidal ideation, Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases, and gum disease and teeth loss, just to name a few. In some cases, even too much sleep can cause problems. (Future blog posts will detail these findings, complete with references.) Balance and quality are key. Many years ago a coworker of mine got stranded on the 405 freeway in Los Angeles. The engine of her pickup suddenly seized up. The mechanic declared it totaled. When I asked how this could have happened, she admitted that she was in the habit of putting only three quarts of oil in the engine instead of four. (No, I'm not kidding.) The truck seemed to run just fine without it, she explained, and she was saving money. But while this may have saved her a few cents in the short run, it created big problems in the long run. More importantly, her penny pinching put her in a very dangerous situation. California freeways are no joke. Pretty dumb, right? But, a lot of people think of Good Sleep the same way my coworker thought about motor oil. They get by on as little as they can. But if you only put five hours instead of six hours of Good Sleep in the engine, night after night after night, you could find yourself "totaled" on the freeway of life. The doctor looking under your hood and shaking his head. Good Sleep is essential to good health! Besides, getting a good night's sleep feels soooo goooooood! Good Sleep Online Marketplace will provide you with the tools and techniques you need to help you get a better night's sleep. You will have access to the best mattresses and pillows for your orthopedic needs. Sheets and comforters to keep you cool. Products to help you relax such as white noise machines, weighted blankets, journals, vitamin and supplements. Sensory deprivation products including the best eye masks, earplugs and blackout curtains. And a variety of tools to help you breathe better. In addition, this Good Sleep Blog will teach you what you need to know about Good Sleep and good health, and will make recommendations regarding products and practices. We are not doctors, but we do our research. And what we've learned from dealing with our own personal sleep issues could change your life. We look forward to helping you! This is an affiliate marketing site for Amazon, among other vendors. This means that we could make a commission on eligible purchases. But we will never recommend anything we don't believe in. Mahalo Mucho, GOOD SLEEP ONLINE MARKETPLACE