Losing sleep anytime can be a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, finds a study that stressed on the importance of maintaining a consistent sleep pattern. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, shows that falling asleep at different times or sleeping an inconsistent number of hours each night, even variations of more than two hours a night within the same week, were tied to developing hardened arteries, known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the cholesterol plaque in the walls of arteries, causing obstruction of blood flow. “Unfortunately, we know that as many as 1 in 3 people do not get their recommended amount of sleep each night,” said Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, Professor at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. “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.” According to Lloyd-Jones, the amount of sleep and quality of sleep are important, and both can have significant impacts on cardiovascular health, as well as 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 things like depression, cognitive decline, and obesity. On the other hand, people who get adequate sleep manage other health factors better as well, such as weight, blood sugar and blood pressure, Lloyd-Jones said.