According to Goldberg, sleeping fewer than six hours a night raises risk for heart disease since lack of sleep increases risk of high blood pressure and belly fat through the release of stress hormones.
Dr. Dipti Itchhaporia, a cardiologist at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, tells SheKnows that post-menopause, women experience more disruptive sleep patterns. “I recommend less stimulants such as caffeine after 12 p.m. and enough exercise to ensure your body is worked out and tired by the end of the day,” she adds. “Some postmenopausal women might benefit from hormonal patches to help with perimenopausal symptoms that can aid in better sleep.”