Roundup: Only One-Third of U.S. Adults Getting Recommended Hours of Sleep; and More News

New Large-Scale Study Finds Most U.S. Adults Get Less Than Recommended Sleep

Most U.S. adults are getting less sleep than recommended, with certain racial and ethnic groups experiencing even worse outcomes, according to new research presented recently at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions highlights.

The average study participant was 49-years-old and slept about 6.4 hours a night. Overall, only about a third of participants averaged the 7 to 9 hours of sleep as recommended for adults by the American Heart Association. 

The study, which analyzed data from more than 13,000 participants using commercially available fitness trackers, sheds new light on the impact of inadequate sleep on health—particularly cardiovascular health—and underscores the need to address sleep disparities.

While many U.S. adults may dismiss sleep deprivation as just a side effect of a busy lifestyle, research has shown that it can have far-reaching consequences for physical and mental well-being. Insufficient sleep has been linked to several chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and even dementia and depression.

The new study is part of the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us research program. This data is part of a broader effort to understand how various factors, such as lifestyle, genetics, and environmental influences, contribute to health outcomes. The findings, though preliminary, offer important insights into the sleep habits of Americans.

Researchers also found racial and ethnic disparities in sleep duration. White participants, who made up 81 percent of the study group, averaged 6.5 hours of sleep per night, the highest of any group. However, Black participants, who represented only 5 percent of the cohort, averaged just 5.7 hours. Hispanic/Latino participants averaged 6.2 hours, while Asian participants got about 6.3 hours of sleep per night. These findings suggest that sleep disparities exist not only between different age groups and genders -- but also across racial and ethnic lines.

The study also found that certain health conditions were linked to shorter sleep durations. Participants with high blood pressure, diabetes, and sleep apnea tended to sleep less than those without these conditions. These findings underscore the complex relationship between sleep and health, suggesting that poor sleep may not only be a result of lifestyle but may also be exacerbated by preexisting health issues.

Restful sleep is essential to health and well-being. Learn more about Baptist Health's Sleep Medicine Services.

Asthma, COPD, and the Hidden Risk of Lung Cancer: Why Symptoms May Overlap

Chronic lung conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common, but they can also mask the early signs of lung cancer, potentially delaying diagnosis and treatment.

A study published in the British Journal of Cancer highlights this concern, showing that people with asthma or COPD may experience a significant delay in being diagnosed with lung cancer, often due to the overlap of symptoms between the conditions.

According to the study, individuals with one chronic lung condition are diagnosed with lung cancer about a month later than those without such conditions. For those with two or more chronic conditions, the delay can stretch to over two months. Why the delay? Symptoms of asthma and COPD—like persistent coughing and shortness of breath — can resemble those of lung cancer, making it difficult for doctors to detect cancer early.

Charu Aggarwal, M.D., MPH, an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) expert and the Leslye M. Heisler Professor for Lung Cancer Excellence at Penn Medicine, emphasizes the importance of proactive screening and monitoring for people with these chronic lung conditions. “The sooner a patient is diagnosed with lung cancer, the sooner they can begin treatment, which improves their chances of a positive outcome,” said Dr. Aggarwal, in a news release about the study by the American Cancer Society.

How Symptoms of Asthma, COPD, and Lung Cancer Differ

Asthma, COPD, and lung cancer all impact the respiratory system, but their symptoms and underlying causes differ.

• Asthma: Characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, asthma causes wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness, often triggered by allergens or physical activity. Symptoms may come and go, especially during flare-ups.
• COPD: COPD, which includes conditions like emphysema and chronic bronchitis, results from long-term damage to the airways and lungs. Symptoms worsen over time and include persistent coughing, mucus production, and shortness of breath, especially during physical activity.
• Lung Cancer: Unlike asthma or COPD, lung cancer begins with abnormal growth of lung cells and may not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages. As it progresses, however, lung cancer can cause persistent coughing, chest pain, weight loss, and other serious symptoms.

Key Signs of Lung Cancer to Watch For

While asthma and COPD may share some symptoms with lung cancer, there are several warning signs that are more specific to cancer, including:

• Coughing up blood or rust-colored mucus
• Persistent cough that doesn’t go away
• Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
• Unexplained weight loss
• Decreased appetite
• Frequent or recurrent infections like bronchitis or pneumonia

If any of these symptoms develop or if existing symptoms change, it’s crucial to talk to your doctor promptly. Dr. Aggarwal advises that early detection is key to better outcomes: "If you notice any new or changing symptoms, it’s important to let your doctor know right away."

Both asthma and COPD increase the risk of developing lung cancer, especially for individuals with a long history of smoking or exposure to other environmental risk factors. If you have either condition, it’s essential to discuss your lung cancer risk with your healthcare provider.

Talking openly with your doctor about your symptoms and risk factors is the best way to ensure you’re taking the necessary steps to detect lung cancer early and manage your overall lung health. Here's more on Baptist Health's Pulmonary Services.

Blood Pressure Fluctuations Linked to Higher Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death, Study Finds

A new study suggests that fluctuations in blood pressure over time may significantly increase the risk of sudden cardiac death, particularly for middle-aged adults.

Presented recently at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions, the research finds that individuals with the most variability in their blood pressure readings face up to a 70 percent higher risk of dying from sudden cardiac arrest --compared to those with more stable measurements. The researchers adjusted their findings for health factors that could have affected the results.

While the results are still considered preliminary until fully published, the findings have raised important questions about the role of blood pressure variability in long-term heart health.

In a news release by the American Heart Association, the lead researcher, Ritam Patel, a second-year medical student at Northwestern University, explained that blood pressure variability may signal a hidden risk factor for sudden cardiac death that hasn’t been fully appreciated. “Blood pressure variability is not just numbers on a chart,” said Patel. “It’s telling us something powerful about this hidden risk that we haven’t been able to quantify before.”

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a well-established risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other chronic health issues. But more recently, researchers have begun to explore what happens when blood pressure fluctuates over time. Studies suggest that variability in blood pressure may be linked to a range of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, kidney disease, and mental health issues. This study is one of the first to focus on how these fluctuations affect the risk of sudden cardiac death specifically.

Researchers tracked 23,499 adults with an average age of 53 at the start of the study. Participants had their blood pressure measured at least three times over an average period of 15 years. The researchers then followed them for up to 30 years to monitor incidents of sudden cardiac death.

On average, the study found that systolic blood pressure (the top number, which measures pressure when the heart beats) fluctuated by about 11 to 12 millimeters of mercury (mmHg), while diastolic pressure (the bottom number, which measures pressure between heartbeats) fluctuated by about 6 to 7 mmHg.

When the researchers analyzed the data, they found that for every 1 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure variability, the risk of sudden cardiac death increased by 3 percent. This suggests that even small fluctuations in blood pressure over time can contribute to a greater overall risk for heart-related incidents.

The study emphasizes the importance of maintaining consistent blood pressure levels. While high blood pressure is known to be a risk factor for heart disease, this research suggests that even people with normal or low blood pressure readings might face dangers if their numbers fluctuate dramatically over time.

Compared to individuals with the most stable blood pressure readings, those with the largest fluctuations in their blood pressure had a 40 percent to 70 percent higher risk of sudden cardiac death. This link was found regardless of whether participants’ blood pressure was initially high, low, or normal.