Based on their findings, not only is sleep an important factor for heart health, but sleep concerns (such as not enough sleep coupled with irregular sleeping patterns) can impact cardiovascular health outcomes, both in the short and long term. As lead author of the study, Soomi Lee Ph.D., notes in a news release, “These findings show the importance of assessing ‘coexisting sleep health problems.'”

And for what it’s worth, the study authors note that gender did not seem to influence the correlation between heart health and sleep, nor did race. In short, everyone needs to get good sleep to support a healthy heart.