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Don't Sleep Too Much – It Might Kill You Don't Sleep Too Much – It Might Kill You
Thursday, October 18, 2007 - Asaf Peer
Home >> News >> Medicine
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Researchers report that sleep deprivation can double the chances of dying from a cardiovascular event. However, too much sleep appears to be even more dangerous for us, more than doubling the likelihood of dying from other causes. In a research project headed by Professor Francesco Cappuccio from the University of Warwick's Medical School, researchers from the University of Warwick and the University College London collected data on 10,308 civil servants sleeping habits and mortality rates between the years 1985 to 2004. The project's disturbing results were recently published in the journal SLEEP.

Professor Francesco Cappuccio 
Professor Francesco Cappuccio
The recommended amount of sleep for an adult person is 7 hours per night, and routinely sleeping less might be risky. In the research project, data regarding civil servants sleeping habits was collected between the years 1985-8 and 1992-3; the civil servants mortality rates were then checked in 2004. Other factors like age, BMI (body mass index), smoking habits, physical condition, etc. were all taken into consideration. The results showed that the mortality rate of people whose sleeping period decreased from 7 hours a night in the years 1985-8 to 5 hours a night (or less) in the years 1992-3, was 1.7 times higher than the mortality rate of the people who had continued sleeping the recommended 7 hours per night. Cardiovascular problems were the most common cause of death in those persons who had slept less than 7 hours a night. 

It is well known that modern society encourages people to sleep less, and many people do not get enough sleep. This latest study has proven there is a connection between insufficient sleep and high mortality rates. 

However, the scientists also found that sleeping more than 7 hours a night may also be bad for us. Among the civil servants who increased their nightly sleeping period from 7 hours per night to 8 hours per night or more, the overall mortality rate more than doubled! In this case, cardiovascular problems did not seem to be the main cause of death. The scientist are still trying to establish what lies behind these findings, and what is the true reason for these high mortality rates in well-rested people. In any case, based on these results, it seems clear that sleeping too much is also not recommended. 

The Warwick research project produced interesting and potentially important findings regarding the connection between sleeping habits and mortality rates. Although there is much work to be done in this field, we might all need to start considering our sleeping habits more carefully. 

More information on the project can be found in the University of Warwick news & events site.

You can discuss Professor Cappuccio's research on the TFOT forums.

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Comments & Replies (22)
Wow!   (10/24/07 - 6:22 - by E.R.)
amazing... now I will not sleep more than 7 hours.

*(yeah, right!)*
correlation    (01/24/08 - 23:03 - by fogus)
correlation causality
correlation   (01/24/08 - 23:04 - by fogus)
correlation != causality

ps, what happened to my angle brackets?
Great...   (05/27/08 - 0:21 - by Dan)
I have been sleeping 12 hours + for the last couple of years! Yet I
still can't believe sleep to be dangerous for you.
sleeping   (10/04/08 - 17:14 - by pam)
You'd have to read the study, because if they just monitored the year
of death and how much sleep, it doesn't mean the sleeping a lot means
you die early... it could also mean that people who die early sleep a
lot. As in, maybe they are just lazier and sleep a lot, as well as
eat bad, dont' exercise, so on. That's why I wouldn't get too freaked
out about these studies!
Depends..   (12/07/08 - 13:40 - by gianna)
It depends on who you are. Teens are recommended 10-12 hours per
night, while adults are recommended 7-9 hours, and babies usually only
sleep 4-6 ours per night. Also, people who sleep a lot could also be
stressed, depressed, or simply not exercise enough.

Sleep is good for you! I promise!
Sleeping ALL DAY LONG !   (12/24/08 - 9:10 - by RxK)
I have a family member who sleeps ALL DAY LONG and also part of the
regular night time hours too. When he's awake and in a group of
friends or family, he will lay down on the floor and fall asleep
immediately, even if he has just slept 10 or mor hours. I know he is
depressed and doesn't eat well or get much exercise, but I am fearful
that there is something MUCH WORSE going on with him. He lost his
job and is on unemployment. He has lost weight and is extremely thin
and weak. He doesn't have anything going on and I have no idea what
needs to be done. Any suggestions? Could be blood disorder?
Diabetes maybe.
SLEEPING   (12/29/08 - 21:55 - by TIRED OF BEING TIRED)
I SLEEP TO MUCH AND I WANT TO GET UP BUT I JUST LAY THERE TIL I FALL
BACK TO SLEEP. IT\\\\\\\'S AFFECTING MY RELATIONSHIP AND IT SCARES
ME..............
wake up!   (02/12/09 - 3:25 - by casey)
ummm yeh.. just wake up
this   (02/22/09 - 2:12 - by ed)
increasing one hour of sleep per night doubles mortality rate?

source:the civil servants who increased their nightly sleeping period
from 7 hours per night to 8 hours per night OR more, the overall
mortality rate more than doubled!
ahh   (02/26/09 - 11:38 - by mal smith)
i napppppp for 2-3 hours a day. then get around 5 hours of sleep at
night. is this healthy? please advisee me
My sleeping grandmother   (03/07/09 - 20:52 - by Jynyne)
My grandmother sleeps all day and night, and is very grumpy.We are
concerned because she has diabetes, and has a heartattack.We are not
sure if there could be something more wrong with her.Could you please
help find what could be causing her to sleep so much?
Re: Jynyne   (03/18/09 - 15:37 - by p)
Jynyne, she might be going into diabetic comas and/or insulin shock.
You should probably get a doctor to look at her.
Son sleeping   (04/07/09 - 15:59 - by Brenda Kiser)
My son is in constant pain due to a milignant brain tumor as a child,
radiation, and steroids. He hurts so much he goes for a couple of days
with a nap here and there. Latley he has started sleeping for 2-3 days
and nights without eating gets up to the bathroom and back to sleep.
He has also had 3 light strokes, I fear something is going on in the
brain. Any ideas
Sleeping too much   (04/13/09 - 4:29 - by Energetic)
I have a brother who sleeps every day without fail. He gets out of bed
late mornings and then goes back to bed late afternoon and then wakes
up at 7:30pm
He does not want to work full time because of this stupid laziness.
Sleeping   (05/03/09 - 13:41 - by Kevin)
Sleep sleep poppy's poppy's Sleep :)
sleeping causes u to DIE??   (05/24/09 - 8:34 - by YEAH RIGHT)
"Among the civil servants who increased their nightly sleeping period
from 7 hours per night to 8 hours per night or more, the overall
mortality rate more than doubled! In this case, cardiovascular
problems did not seem to be the main cause of death. The scientist are
still trying to establish what lies behind these findings, and what is
the true reason for these high mortality rates in well-rested people"

so what there trying to say is they have no proof that sleeping will
causes u to die faster.
*jumps into bed and continues sleeping*
Depressed !!   (06/02/09 - 16:01 - by Mohsin)
Seems to me that depression causes us to sleep more. Ive lost my job
and for the last 2 months ive been sleeping like a bear and dont feel
like eating ive lost weight and started smooking too ... plz help me
...
Sleeeping Disorders   (06/08/09 - 8:33 - by BY)
There is a correlation between your mental state of mind and amount of
sleep you want.
If you feel good in sprit and in good health, you probably want to get
up and do something and require less sleep.
I think it depends on each indivisual , his body, and his state of
mind how much sleep you need.
sleep   (06/11/09 - 15:25 - by sleeping beauty)
i think everyone is different when it comes to sleep. i get 8 to 10
hours a night, with a little help from abien cr. sleep helps decrease
high blood pressure, memory focus and mood. so if your body tells you
that you need 6 to 7 hours great. but if you need 8 to 10 hours dont
stress that you can die earlier. sleep also helps your skin. im almost
40yrs old and people always ask me if im still in my 20s. so i must be
doing something right. sleep well!
sleep   (06/11/09 - 15:29 - by sleeping beauty)
i think everyone is different when it comes to sleep. i get 8 to 10
hours a night, with a little help from abien cr. sleep helps decrease
high blood pressure, memory focus and mood. so if your body tells you
that you need 6 to 7 hours great. but if you need 8 to 10 hours dont
stress that you can die earlier. sleep also helps your skin. im almost
40yrs old and people always ask me if im still in my 20s. so i must be
doing something right. sleep well!
Sleep   (06/15/09 - 0:48 - by Jason)
I usually sleep 10-12 hours a night, with a comfy bed and good
exercise, I feel on top of the world. Do what you must to enjoy life.

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