Sleep is not a passive state. It is an active biological process during which the brain reorganizes information, recalibrates emotional circuits, and restores metabolic balance. When sleep is shortened or fragmented, these processes become less efficient, and cognitive performance can suffer. One of the most studied roles of sleep is …
The Heart at Night: How Sleep Duration Influences Cardiovascular Health
The cardiovascular system does not shut down during sleep. In fact, sleep provides a critical period of physiological regulation. Heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormone levels typically follow circadian rhythms—natural 24-hour cycles that are closely linked to sleep patterns. During healthy sleep, blood pressure usually decreases in a pattern …