Sleep-Deprived Women at Risk of Developing High Blood Pressure

If you are a woman that is not getting enough sleep you are are at greater risk than men for developing high blood pressure or hypertension.

"A study, published in the journal Hypertension, revealed women who slept five hours or less were twice as likely to suffer from hypertension as women who slept seven hours or more a night. There was no difference between those men sleeping less than five hours and those sleeping seven hours or more.

The research team analyzed data from a study of volunteers from 20 civil service departments based in London. The sample included 6,592 participants -- more than 4,000 men and more than 1,500 women.

Hypertension increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The Warwick team defined hypertension as blood pressure equal to or higher than 140/90 mm Hg -- or if the subject made regular use of blood pressure medications."

If you are a woman, make sure you are getting at least 5 hours of sleep per night.