The American Heart Association's annual Heart Walk is happening in Dubuque on Saturday, May 6th at the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Substantial donations have already started rolling in, but there's still time to make your contribution and register to participate in the event!

With the 2023 Dubuque Area Heart Walk in mind, the American Heart Association Iowa wants to remind Iowans that getting a good night sleep is not just necessary for your wellbeing, but also your heart.

Scientific researchers have noticed an increase in heart attacks and strokes in the days following the change to daylight saving time. However, the American Heart Association, the leading global health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, says losing sleep anytime can be a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Getting a good night’s sleep every night is vital to cardiovascular health. Adults should aim for an average of 7-9 hours, and babies and kids need more depending on their age. Unfortunately, we know that as many as 1 in 3 people do not get their recommended amount of sleep each night. - Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, M.D., Sc.M., FAHA, past volunteer president of the American Heart Association and chair of the department of preventive medicine, the Eileen M. Foell Professor of Heart Research and professor of preventive medicine, medicine and pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. 

According to Lloyd-Jones, amount of sleep and quality of sleep are important and can have impacts on both cardiovascular and overall health. In addition to increasing risk for cardiovascular conditions like heart attack and stroke, lack of sleep may also put people at risk of depression, cognitive decline and obesity.

Photo Credit: American Heart Association
Photo Credit: American Heart Association
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New research in the Journal of the American Heart Association shows maintaining a consistent sleep pattern may play an important role in preventing cardiovascular disease. Researchers found that falling asleep at different times or sleeping an inconsistent number of hours each night were tied to developing atherosclerosis.

For more information on the American Heart Association, you can visit the Eastern Iowa affiliate page on their website! Learn more about the 2023 Dubuque Heart Walk here! You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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The Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

A stroll through the Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens in Early Spring