How Sleep Patterns Affect Children’s Heart Health
Sleep is just as important for children as nutrition and exercise are. However, many parents don’t consider how sleep affects different aspects of a child’s health now and later.
Dr Manvinder Singh Sachdev and his team at Nanhe Dil – The Child Heart Centre often see how lifestyle-related cardiac risk factors in children are caused by disrupted sleep. In cardiology, sleep is important for blood pressure and metabolism control, and for emotional regulation and cardiovascular system development, thus sleep is invaluable in preventive heart care.
While many people think sleep is a time for the body and mind to take a break, sleep is the time for the body to repair and balance itself. The heart rate slows, blood pressure lowers, and stress hormones decrease during sleep time, which gives the heart a break and blood vessels a chance to rest. Dr Manvinder Singh Sachdev explains how sleep allows the cardiovascular system to recuperate from the demands of the day.
Not getting enough sleep is bad for kids’ blood pressure, emotions, and weight. On the other hand, getting good sleep is good for kids’ blood pressure, emotions, weight, and overall wellbeing. Chronic sleep deprivation makes things even worse, causing dysregulation of the heart and other body systems. Not getting enough sleep also increases long term heart disease risk.
The Ways Poor Sleep Affects Children’s Hearts
Children who sleep poorly are at risk for high blood pressure, hormonal imbalances, obesity, increased stress, irregular heartbeats, and more. In fact, sleep deprivation is one of the big players when it comes to increased risk for cardiovascular strain.
When a child is sleep deprived, appetite hormones become disrupted. This makes kids eat unhealthy foods that will cause weight gain. This is a cycle because highly unhealthy kids almost always have sleep deprivation issues. The extra weight makes obesity more likely. Hypertension, diabetes, and unusual cholesterol are just some of the conditions that these kids have.
The Ways Sleep Affects Emotional Stress
Poor sleep weakens mood, ability to pay attention, and ability to tolerate stress. Increased stress hormones can cause strain on the heart. The cardiovascular system can also become more stressed. Among other things, keep in mind that good sleep is needed for emotional wellbeing and heart health. This is something that is especially important during the developmental years.
Recommended Sleep Duration For Children
Dr. Manvinder Singh Sachdev advises parents to ensure age-appropriate sleep duration:
| Age Group | Recommended Sleep per Day |
| Infants (4–12 months) | 12–16 hours (including naps) |
| Toddlers (1–2 years) | 11–14 hours |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | 10–13 hours |
| School-age (6–12 years) | 9–12 hours |
| Teens (13–18 years) | 8–10 hours |
Issues Arising From Sleep Disturbance
Parents must look out for loud snores, frequent awakenings, tiredness during the day, irritability, inability to concentrate, and hyperactivity. Excessive disturbances in sleep may signify more serious, less obvious issues affecting one’s heart. Dr. Manvinder Singh Sachdev.
Advice On Sleeping Well And Maintaining Heart Health
Try to create a bedtime routine that is calming and followed every day. Ensure that the sleep environment is a quiet, dark, and screen-free place. It is also important to promote regular exercise during the day, particularly to avoid caffeine and sugary foods in the hours leading to bedtime. Dr. Sachdev also recommends using relaxation techniques to alleviate stress.
Sleep Disorders And Heart Health
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious condition that affects children and is associated with heart strain and high blood pressure. As Dr. Manvinder Singh Sachdev points out, there is a need for early diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders to avoid complications in the heart in the future.
When To Consult A Doctor
Parents should consult a doctor if the child snores loudly, has pauses in their breathing during sleep, experiences excessive sleepiness in the daytime, or possesses high blood pressure that does not appear to be explained. Dr. Manvinder Singh Sachdev is an expert in identifying and managing heart-related issues and is available at the NanheDil – The Child Heart Centre.
Healthy sleep plays an essential part in building a children’s heart health. As Dr. Manvinder Singh Sachdev highlighted, the combination of good sleep, proper nutrition, and physical activity work to strengthen the foundation of good health and reduce the risk of future heart issues. If parents prioritize sleep today, they are protecting their child’s future heart health.
