William Atkins
Friday, 26 December 2008 02:47
Science -
Health
Page 2 of 3
The participants were studied in the fifteen year (2000-2001) of the CARDIA study, and again in the twentieth year (2005-2006).
Computed Tomography (CT) scans, during both years, were taken of the people with regards to calcium buildup inside the arteries of the heart.
After taking into account age, race, gender, tobacco smoking, education, and medical factors (such as blood pressure, body mass index, alcohol consumption, depression/anxiety, and other self-reported conditions), the researchers measured several sleep related patterns.
The sleep patterns included daytime sleepiness, overall quality of sleep, duration of sleep, and others.
None of the participants had any calcification in their arteries at the beginning of the study.
During the study of these people, bands were placed on their wrists that detected body movements or the lack of movements (as in sleep).
The data produced from these wrist bands were analyzed within a computer problem in order to develop sleep patterns in the people.
They found that even an extra hour of sleep each day can lower the risk of developing calcium deposits in the arteries. Such calcification is a clear sign of early heart disease.
Page three discusses the conclusions of the study in more detail.
