Sleeping less than six hours a day, can affect the heart

Sleeping less than six hours a day, can affect the heart

After analyzing more than 470 000 people in eight countries including U.S., British researchers found that sleeping too little or too much sleep can affect the heart, increasing the risk of stroke and heart attack. The study results were recently published in European Heart Journal.

The researchers found that people who sleep less than six hours a night and have trouble sleeping, have a 48 percent greater chance of developing or dying from heart disease or stroke and 15 percent higher risk of developing or dying from stroke.

Dr. Francesco Cappuccio, of Warwick Medical School in England and coauthor of the research, said: "The tendency of late nights and early mornings, it's a time bomb for health, so you need to take steps to reduce their risk of developing these life-threatening diseases.

For his part, Dr. Michelle Miller, co-authored the study, said: "Chronic short sleep produces hormones and chemicals in the body, increasing the risk of developing heart disease and stroke and other conditions such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes and obesity.

Therefore, seven hours sleep a night, protect your health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, she said.

Sleeping with pets can be dangerous to health

Sleeping with pets can be dangerous to health

Sleeping with a pet may not be a good idea, because according to a new study published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, dogs and cats can transmit diseases to their owners. Apparently pets have parasites, bacteria or viruses that cause diseases, some minor and others potentially fatal in humans.

People whose immune system is weakened (the elderly, children under five years, patients with HIV / AIDS and cancer patients) are those most at risk from infection of an animal.

Dr. Bruno Chomel, veterinarian, author and a professor of zoonoses at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, said of the 250 zoonotic diseases (infections transmitted between animals and people) are more than 100 derived from domestic animals, and although the infection is low compared to the number of people who sleep with their pets, the vet said that risks remain.

According to the report, some infections transmitted to humans by sleeping with pets, kissing or licking receive are: anquilosotoma, roundworms, ringworm, cat scratch disease and infections by drug-resistant staph.

Benefits vs. risks
Although you may get sick from a pet, have a also has health benefits, as research has shown that pets, and offer psychological support and friendship, help reduce blood pressure, reduce stress, increase physical activity and improve mood, among others.

Hygiene, the best prevention
Pet-borne diseases can be prevented with proper hygiene habits such as washing hands with soap and warm water after playing with them, especially with puppies, kittens or older dog or cat with diarrhea. You should also immediately wash any areas that have been licked by a pet.

To prevent and detect disease early, the report recommends keeping pets free of fleas, ticks and worms and have them tested regularly by a veterinarian. The report's authors also discourage owners kiss their dogs or cats, as well as sharing the bed with them.