Symptom 8: Sleep Disturbances: A Night-time Tale
Now it night of restful sleep, your body recharging for the day ahead. But, suddenly, you find yourself tossing and turning, struggling to find the sweet spot of slumber. Unusual sleep disturbances might be more than just stress or a bad dream; it could be a hidden symptom of angina.
When the heart struggles to pump oxygenated blood effectively, the body’s functions can be impacted in various ways, including the sleep cycle. Women with angina may experience problems with their sleep that are out of the ordinary for them, from trouble falling asleep to frequent awakenings during the night.
This nocturnal restlessness might manifest as periods of wakefulness in the night, accompanied by a sense of unease. Or it could be trouble falling asleep, despite being tired. Some women might wake up way before their usual time, unable to get back to sleep, leading to a disrupted sleep pattern.
Of course, everyone experiences occasional nights of poor sleep. But when it becomes a regular pattern, it’s time to pay attention. And if these sleep disturbances come along with other symptoms of angina, like chest discomfort or breathlessness, it’s even more crucial to heed these nighttime signals.
Sleep disturbances as a symptom of angina can often be overlooked, attributed to stress, age, or other health issues. But it’s important to remember, sleep is as much a physiological process as it is a restful one, and disturbances in it can point to an underlying problem like angina. (8)
