A heavy dinner before bed keeps the body in “active mode” when it should be repairing itself.
This leads to:
Intense digestion during the night
Acid reflux and micro-arousals
High blood pressure
Increased nighttime cardiac workload
The heart doesn’t rest if the digestive system continues working at full capacity.
What to do:
Eat dinner at least 3 hours before bedtime
Choose light meals
Avoid fried foods, fats, and sugars at night
If you’re hungry, choose something very light
5. Chronic sleep deprivation
Regularly sleeping less than 6 hours a night is one of the most underestimated cardiovascular risk factors.
Lack of sleep causes:
Persistent hypertension
Chronic inflammation
Insulin resistance
Increased cortisol levels
Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
Sleep is not wasted time. It’s when the body repairs itself.
What to do
Prioritize 7 to 9 hours of sleep
Maintain regular sleep schedules
Create a relaxing bedtime routine
Protect your rest time as a basic need
Final tips and recommendations
Sleeping on your side can save lives in people with sleep apnea
Always question the prolonged use of sleeping pills
A cool bedroom is a health tool, not a luxury
Eating an early, light dinner reduces nighttime cardiac workload
Sleeping well is one of the most effective ways to prevent cardiovascular disease
Small, sustained changes have a huge long-term impact.
Many heart attacks and strokes don’t happen during the day, but silently, while we sleep. The good news is that much of this risk can be reduced by correcting simple nighttime habits. Getting a good night’s sleep isn’t a luxury or a waste of time: it’s one of the most important decisions you can make to protect your life.
