Hypertension: Short sleep duration and poor sleep quality are associated with an increased risk of developing hypertension. A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Hypertension found that individuals who slept less than 5 hours per night had a 61% higher risk of hypertension compared to those who slept 7-8 hours per night.

Atherosclerosis: Sleep disturbances, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis by promoting inflammation and oxidative stress. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that severe OSA was associated with a 2.6-fold increased risk of coronary artery disease.

Insulin Resistance: Insufficient sleep can disrupt glucose metabolism and increase the risk of developing insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that restricting sleep to 4 hours per night for just 6 nights led to a 40% reduction in insulin sensitivity.

Dementia: Chronic sleep deprivation and sleep disorders can have significant detrimental effects on cognitive function and may increase the risk of developing dementia later in life. A meta-analysis published in the journal Sleep found that individuals with insomnia had impairments in multiple cognitive domains, including attention, memory, and executive function. Additionally, a study published in the journal Neurology found that individuals with severe sleep apnea had a 1.85-fold increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to those without sleep apnea.