Sweet Dreams for a Healthy Heart: Why Sleep Matters for Your Dog
We all love watching our dogs sprawl out for a nap in a sunbeam, but did you know that their snooze sessions play a vital role in their heart health?
Leave it to us at Coast to Coast Cardiology to give you the scoop on your pet’s sleep, from why it’s important to how you, as a pet owner, can help them get the rest they need.
Sleep and Heart Repair
Like humans, dogs produce proteins during sleep that mend and rebuild cells and tissues throughout their body, including their vital heart muscles. This restorative process is essential for maintaining a strong heart and preventing future heart problems.
Reducing Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a sneaky culprit linked to various health issues in dogs, including heart disease. Adequate sleep helps regulate the body’s inflammatory response, thus lowering the levels of inflammatory proteins circulating in the bloodstream.
Sleep also plays a key role in regulating hormones, including those that directly affect blood pressure and heart rate.
Promoting Restful Sleep for a Healthy Heart
Hectic, loud, or constantly changing environments can cause chronic stress for your pet. Startled awakenings or inconsistent sleep and wake times can prevent them from the necessary restoration they receive from REM and non-REM cycles.
This chronic stress can especially manifest in the heart. A weakened immune system can make them more susceptible to illnesses that can infect or inflame the heart, while stress hormones can increase appetite and decrease metabolism, potentially leading to obesity and high blood pressure.
Warning Signs of Sleep Deprivation
While some dog breeds are naturally more inclined to sleep than others, there are signs that your pet might be sleep-deprived (consult with your veterinarian for proper diagnosis), which include:
- Excessive sleepiness during the day
- Daytime lethargy and lack of energy
- Hyperactivity (sometimes a sign of frustration)
- Frequent bouts of illness or infection
- Difficulty focusing or concentrating
If you have any concerns about your dog’s sleep affecting their heart, reach out to our office. We at Coast to Coast Cardiology are available in ten different locations, but we deliver on one goal no matter what: treating the patient, not just the signs. To schedule an appointment, contact us online or call 844-582-3827 today!