WOMEN'S HEART HEALTH: SLEEP MATTERS

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 WOMEN'S HEART HEALTH: SLEEP MATTERS







A new study is shaking up what we know about women’s heart health during midlife, highlighting sleep as a surprisingly decisive factor. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Baylor University have found that poor sleep in women going through Menopause can sharply raise the risk of heart disease and even early death. The study, published July 8 in the journal Menopause, followed nearly 3,000 women and tracked their health over time.

The research team used the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) score—a tool that looks at eight health habits and risk factors, including sleep, blood pressure, and nicotine use. Only about 1 in 5 women in the study hit the mark for overall heart health. Four of the eight LE8 factors stood out as the biggest drivers of future heart issues: blood sugar, blood pressure, sleep quality, and nicotine use. Among these, sleep quality was essential for predicting long-term heart risks and mortality.

The study followed women from around age 46. It measured everything from subtle early signs of heart problems (like thickening of the carotid artery) to major events (such as heart attacks, strokes, and death from any cause). While good sleep didn’t seem to affect the short-term buildup of artery thickness, it did predict who was more likely to have serious heart issues or die later on. According to the LE8 guidelines, “healthy” sleep means getting seven to nine hours a night on average. Notably, most women in the study didn’t get enough quality sleep or meet the other LE8 benchmarks—only 21% had an ideal score.

Dr. Samar R. El Khoudary, the study’s senior author, emphasized that Menopause is a turning point for women’s heart risk, but also a chance to take charge of health. “This study underscores that it’s also an opportunity for women to take the reins on their heart health,” she said. The findings suggest that interventions focused on sleep, along with blood pressure and nicotine use, could be critical for protecting women’s hearts as they age.

Given that heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, these results highlight a real need for lifestyle and medical changes during and after Menopause. The researchers recommend future clinical trials to see if improving sleep can directly protect women’s hearts.

Citations:
University of Pittsburgh. (2025, July 10). The sleep-heart link doctors are urging women over 45 to know. Menopause, July 8, 2025. Retrieved from University of Pittsburgh news release.

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