I’ve never needed much sleep to feel refreshed. While most of my friends groan without their full 8 hours and reach for coffee before conversations, I’ve always felt perfectly fine—sometimes even better—after just four or five hours of shut-eye.

For years, I had thought that I was merely the "odd one out," a person with an offbeat sleeping pattern always harming my body maybe but now it appears, there could be a genetic explanation for why individuals like myself are programmed this way. Scientists found a rare gene mutation in a gene known as SIK3 that enables some of us to function just fine on less sleep. No drowsiness. No foggy brain. No side effects.

If you’ve ever wondered why some people seem superhuman on minimal sleep, or secretly hoped there was a way to train your body to do the same, this discovery might just hold the answers. Let’s explore what makes natural short sleepers tick—and whether this sleep “superpower” is something the rest of us can unlock too.

For years, sleep specialists have repeated the same mantra: adults require a minimum of 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night to maintain mental acuity, immune function, and cardiovascular health. Long-term sleep deprivation has long been associated with higher risks of obesity, Alzheimer's disease, high blood pressure, and even premature death. But what if some people are genetically predisposed to perform best on only four hours of sleep?

Recent scientific studies have put this astounding phenomenon under the limelight with a stunning finding: an exceptional gene mutation, SIK3-N783Y, that makes some individuals what scientists have coined as natural short sleepers.

Who Are These Super Sleepers?

A natural short sleeper (NSS) is one who sleeps four to six hours every night but wakes up feeling refreshed and ready to go—without the help of coffee or the typical symptoms of sleep deprivation. They are not sleep-deprived; their bodies simply need less sleep than others.

This fascinating sleep pattern has puzzled scientists for decades, but thanks to a recent study by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the enigma is starting to lift. Their results, which were published in a peer-reviewed journal, indicate a rare gene mutation in the salt-induced kinase 3 (SIK3) gene.

Can You Really Survive—and Thrive on Just 4 Hours of Sleep?

The scientists discovered that the N783Y mutation in the SIK3 gene alters the SIK3 protein structure. This alteration affects the protein's function to transfer phosphate molecules, an essential component of the chemical signaling that governs our internal sleep-wake cycles.

In order to better analyze this effect, researchers created genetically modified mice that had the same mutation. Such mice slept around 30 minutes less per night than regular mice, and even less when deprived of sleep. Surprisingly, these differences weren't associated with the amount of proteins in the brain—but rather, with the way the proteins worked.

Furthermore, mutant mice had higher delta wave activity on EEG readings—a sign of deep, restorative sleep. This reinforces the theory that the mutation doesn't merely cut short sleep, it makes it more effective.

This is not the first time that scientists have associated genetics with sleep duration. Several years back, one mother and daughter who claimed to require just six hours of sleep at night without ever getting tired were discovered to carry a mutation in a gene linked with the circadian clock, our internal sleep- timing mechanism.

So far, scientists have discovered at least five mutations in four genes that affect sleep duration. But the newly found SIK3 mutation is particularly intriguing because it directly affects biochemical pathways that can now be targeted in the future development of drugs.

How Does this Gene Affect Sleep Medicine?

The applications of this research are vast. By knowing what enables natural short sleepers to feel rested on less time, researchers can start working on the development of treatments to improve sleep quality—not by lengthening time, but by increasing the efficacy of the hours we do spend sleeping.

"This discovery deepens our knowledge of the genetic basis of sleep," researchers said, highlighting the mutation's promise in leading to precision sleep medicine—focused treatments that modify sleep regulation systems at the molecular level.

Natural Short Sleep vs. Sleep Deprivation

Natural short sleep is a genetically controlled, rare condition in which people perform best with only 4–6 hours of sleep. In contrast to sleep-deprived individuals, they rise feeling rested, with no hint of exhaustion or mental slowness. This is not about "toughing it out" on fewer z's—it's simply the way their bodies are biologically programmed to require less. Sleep deprivation has an impact on mood, memory, immunity, and cardiovascular health. Long-term sleep deprivation has been known to increase disease risks like Alzheimer's or cardiovascular disease. Thus, when natural short sleepers are prospering, the rest of us should not try to replicate their sleep.

Why Most People Still Need 7 to 9 Hours of Sleep?

Most people still require 7 to 9 hours of sleep because it maintains critical functions such as memory consolidation, emotion regulation, immune function, and cell repair. Sleep removes toxins from the brain and re-sets the body's biological clocks for the day ahead. Sleeping less than required on a regular basis can hamper concentration, decision-making, and metabolism and result in long-term dangers including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. Although a small group of people have a genetic mutation that enables them to survive on less sleep, the rest of us are not so hardwired and require sufficient sleep to maintain physical, mental, and emotional health.

Why You Shouldn't Deprive Yourself of Sleep?

Before you begin reducing your sleep time, it's important to observe, natural short sleep is different from sleep deprivation. The majority of us cannot just train ourselves to be short sleepers. For most people, trying to sleep just four hours a night results in cognitive impairments, memory loss, compromised immunity, and long-term health problems.

Rather than copying the sleep habits of the genetically fortunate few, experts advise taking efforts at sleep hygiene:

• Stick to a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends.
• Avoid caffeine and heavy meals in the evening.
• Make the sleeping environment cool, dark, and quiet.
• Limit screen use before bedtime.
• Deal with stress through meditation or journaling.

While the discovery of the SIK3-N783Y mutation may not mean much for your sleep schedule today, it opens exciting doors for future treatments and a deeper understanding of how our bodies regulate rest. It also highlights the fascinating diversity of human biology—some people are literally wired to need less sleep, and now, we’re beginning to understand why.

So, if you wake up feeling great on only a few hours of sleep each night, science may one day validate that you're one of a select, genetically privileged few. In the meantime, shoot for that 7-9 hour mark your body and mind will appreciate it.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming millions of lives each year. Among its most devastating manifestations is cardiac arrest—a sudden, unexpected stoppage of heart function that, if not treated immediately, is almost always fatal. Recent research has illuminated a crucial, often overlooked fact: the warning signs of cardiac arrest can differ between men and women. Recognizing these differences is not just a matter of academic interest; it can mean the difference between life and death.

Cardiac arrest is often sudden, silent, and deadly — claiming more lives globally than most people realize. But a growing body of research shows that its early warning signs may not be the same for everyone. Specifically, men and women often experience different symptoms before cardiac arrest occurs — and recognizing these differences may mean the difference between life and death.

Sometimes called sudden cardiac arrest, occurs when the heart abruptly stops beating. This cessation halts blood flow to the brain and other vital organs, causing a person to lose consciousness within seconds. Without rapid intervention, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), death can occur within minutes.

Unlike a heart attack—which is caused by a blockage in the arteries supplying the heart—cardiac arrest is primarily an electrical problem. The heart’s rhythm becomes dangerously abnormal, most commonly due to ventricular fibrillation, causing it to quiver instead of pumping blood effectively.

A recent study published in The Lancet Digital Health has revealed groundbreaking findings that could reshape how we understand and respond to cardiac arrest. Researchers have now confirmed that while chest pain is the most prominent pre-symptom in men, women often experience shortness of breath in the hours leading up to a cardiac arrest episode. The data comes from community-based studies including the PRESTO study in California and the SUDS study in Oregon, which collectively examined how sex-specific symptoms could be harnessed to improve early detection and survival.

According to the study, half of all individuals who experience sudden cardiac arrest have a warning symptom within 24 hours prior to the event. However, these symptoms are not uniform across genders. For women, shortness of breath emerged as the most prominent warning sign, while men most commonly reported chest pain. Other symptoms, such as palpitations, flu-like sensations, and even seizures, were also noted in a smaller subset of patients.

Shortness of Breath vs Chest Pain

In the recent study, researchers found that over 50% of individuals who suffered cardiac arrest had at least one warning symptom within 24 hours. Men most commonly reported chest pain, while women more frequently experienced shortness of breath. A smaller percentage of both groups experienced palpitations, flu-like symptoms, or seizures.

“This is the first community-based study to evaluate sex-specific warning symptoms using real-time emergency medical service (EMS) documentation,” said Eduardo Marbán, Executive Director at the Smidt Heart Institute.

Dr. Sumeet Chugh, the study’s lead investigator, emphasized the impact: “Harnessing these symptoms could guide who needs immediate emergency response. That insight could change survival rates.”

What Exactly Is Cardiac Arrest?

Cardiac arrest, sometimes confused with a heart attack, occurs when the heart stops beating abruptly due to an electrical malfunction. This sudden stoppage halts blood flow to the brain and other vital organs, often causing loss of consciousness within seconds. If not treated immediately — typically through CPR or defibrillation — death can occur within minutes.

It’s different from a heart attack, which is caused by a blockage in the coronary arteries. However, heart attacks can trigger cardiac arrest by disrupting the heart’s electrical system.

Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack

The terms “heart attack” and “cardiac arrest” are often used interchangeably, but they refer to distinct medical emergencies. A heart attack is caused by a blockage that prevents blood from reaching a part of the heart muscle, leading to tissue damage. Cardiac arrest, on the other hand, is an electrical malfunction that causes the heart to stop beating altogether.

While a heart attack can increase the risk of cardiac arrest—by disrupting the heart’s electrical system—not all cardiac arrests are preceded by a heart attack. Other causes include arrhythmias, enlarged heart (cardiomyopathy), severe blood loss, valvular heart disease, and electrolyte imbalances.

Why Younger People Are at Increasing Risk?

The rise in sudden cardiac deaths among young adults is particularly concerning. While some cases are linked to undiagnosed heart conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or ventricular arrhythmias, others may be triggered by intense exercise, drug use, or even severe viral infections. These factors can cause the heart to beat irregularly or stop altogether, often without warning. Several factors are contributing to the alarming rise in heart disease and sudden cardiac arrests among young adults:

Genetics and lifestyle: While you can’t change your genes, factors like smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise, and unmanaged stress play significant roles in heart health.

Steroid abuse: Especially among gym-goers and bodybuilders, the use of steroids and growth hormones can damage heart muscles and disrupt rhythms.

Undiagnosed conditions: Conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or dilated cardiomyopathy (often linked to viral infections like COVID-19) may go unnoticed until it's too late.

Post-COVID heart risks: Myocarditis and lung fibrosis can lower oxygen supply and impair heart function, increasing cardiac vulnerability.

Severe stress: Though rare, emotional trauma can induce cardiac events, especially in those with pre-existing conditions.

Recognizing the Symptoms Before It’s Too Late

For women, these symptoms may present more subtly — and are more likely to be mistaken for stress or anxiety. That’s why public health messaging must evolve to include gender-specific information. While some cardiac arrests strike without any warning, many cases are preceded by symptoms that are often misread or dismissed:

• Chest pain or tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations or irregular heartbeat
• Fainting or dizziness
• Extreme fatigue
• Nausea or stomach pain
• Sudden sweating or lightheadedness

What You Can Do Today to Prevent Cardiac Arrest?

Preventing cardiac arrest begins with understanding your risk factors and taking proactive steps to protect your heart health. Experts recommend the following:

Routine screening: Start annual checks for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels after age 18.

Know your numbers: Aim for total cholesterol <200 mg/dL, LDL <100 mg/dL, fasting glucose <100 mg/dL, and blood pressure <130/80 mmHg.

Get vaccinated and treated for viral infections: Viruses like COVID-19 can lead to myocarditis and long-term heart damage.

Stop smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.

Maintain physical activity but with caution. People over 40 or with a family history should consult a doctor before starting high-intensity workouts.

As cardiac events among young people rise and symptoms continue to vary across genders, researchers believe integrating biometric data, wearable tech, and AI-powered health tools can offer early detection solutions in the near future.

United States has seen a nearly 90% drop in heart attack deaths since 1970, thanks to decades of medical advancements and aggressive prevention efforts. However, this victory masks a darker trend: a steep rise in deaths from other, more complex forms of heart disease. According to a new study by Stanford University, Americans are now dying in greater numbers from conditions like heart failure, arrhythmias, and high blood pressure-induced heart disease—silent killers that are surging while heart attack deaths decline.

Back in 1970, 91% of all heart-related deaths were caused by ischemic heart disease—conditions primarily linked to blocked arteries and culminating in heart attacks. By 2022, that number had dropped to 53%, with acute heart attack deaths falling from 354 per 100,000 to just 40 per 100,000.

What fueled this change? The answer is medical innovation and public health progress. The 1960s and 1970s brought the first wave of change, as emergency responders learned CPR, hospitals opened specialized cardiac care units, and doctors began using coronary angiography to map blockages in the heart’s arteries. The introduction of balloon angioplasty in 1977 allowed doctors to physically open clogged arteries, saving countless lives.

The following decades saw the arrival of clot-busting drugs, coronary stents, and cholesterol-lowering statins. Aspirin therapy became standard for heart attack patients. By the 2000s, “door-to-balloon” protocols ensured that patients received life-saving treatment within 90 minutes of hospital arrival. Meanwhile, public health campaigns slashed smoking rates from 40% in 1970 to just 14% by 2019, and doctors became more aggressive in controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.

Why Are Deaths Surging from Other Heart Conditions?

This success came with consequences, the Stanford study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, analyzed over 37 million heart disease deaths across five decades. While ischemic heart disease deaths plunged, deaths from other cardiovascular causes surged by 81% overall.

Heart Failure

Heart failure deaths have increased by a staggering 146% since 1970. Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle, often weakened by a previous heart attack or years of high blood pressure, can no longer pump blood efficiently. Patients may survive the initial cardiac event, but face years—sometimes decades—of chronic illness, frequent hospitalizations, and a gradual decline in quality of life.

The rise in heart failure is partly a consequence of longer life expectancy. In 1970, the average American lived to 70.9 years; by 2022, that figure had climbed to 77.5. More people are surviving their first heart attack, but the damage to their heart often sets the stage for future problems.

Dangerous Arrhythmias

Perhaps most striking is the 450% increase in deaths from arrhythmias—disorders that cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or erratically. Many arrhythmias are survivable with prompt treatment, but some, like ventricular fibrillation, can be instantly fatal if not treated within minutes. As more people live with damaged or weakened hearts, the risk of developing life-threatening rhythm disturbances rises.

Hypertensive Heart Disease

Deaths from hypertensive heart disease—heart problems caused by years of uncontrolled high blood pressure—have jumped 106% since 1970. High blood pressure silently damages the heart’s structure and blood vessels over time, leading to heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Today, almost half of American adults have high blood pressure, up from 30% in 1978.

People are living longer and surviving their first heart attack—but this extended lifespan means their weakened hearts face greater long-term stress, eventually leading to chronic conditions that are harder to manage and treat.

Why A New Cardiac Crisis Looming in US?

The decline in heart attacks has ushered in a new era of complex, chronic heart disease—one that reflects the long shadow of survival.

Dr. Sara King, lead author of the Stanford study, explains, “There have been great strides made in helping people survive initial acute cardiac events that were once considered a death sentence. But this evolution also means we’re seeing more patients dying of conditions like heart failure and arrhythmia years later.”

This shift underscores a critical reality: Surviving a heart attack is not the end of the battle. It’s often the beginning of a lifelong struggle with a heart compromised by disease and further burdened by modern lifestyle challenges.

While we’ve outpaced one killer, we’ve inadvertently empowered three others. The study shows a direct correlation between rising chronic diseases and the surge in non-heart-attack cardiac deaths:

• Obesity rates have skyrocketed from 15% in the 1970s to over 40% in 2022.
• Nearly 1 in 2 American adults now has type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
• High blood pressure, a silent but deadly force, is present in nearly 50% of U.S. adults, up from just 30% in 1978.

These three conditions fuel the development of heart failure and arrhythmias, compounding long-term cardiac risk even in those who never experience a traditional heart attack.

Improved diagnostic tools have also contributed to the numbers. Conditions like heart failure with preserved ejection fraction—where the heart pumps normally but fills inefficiently—and pulmonary hypertension—high blood pressure in the lungs—are now more readily diagnosed.

While early detection is essential, it also reveals just how widespread and complicated these cardiac conditions have become.

How to Protect and Prevent Modern Heart Conditions?

As the nature of heart disease evolves, so too must our approach to prevention. The American Heart Association’s “Life’s Essential 8” offers a blueprint for reducing risk: eat a healthy diet, manage weight, quit smoking, exercise regularly, improve sleep, and control cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar. These steps are more important than ever, not just for preventing heart attacks, but for reducing the risk of the chronic conditions that now claim so many lives.

Eat healthy: Emphasize whole foods, low sodium, and healthy fats.

Be active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly.

Quit smoking: Tobacco remains a top preventable cause of heart disease.

Manage weight: Obesity is a strong predictor of heart failure and diabetes.

Control cholesterol: Statins and lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce plaque buildup.

Reduce blood pressure: Early treatment can prevent hypertensive heart disease.

Lower blood sugar: Address prediabetes before it leads to full-blown disease.

Sleep well: Quality sleep is increasingly recognized as vital for heart health.

Public health experts also stress the need for better management of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, as well as continued investment in heart disease research and innovation.

Supporting brain health isn’t just about preventing memory loss later in life—it's also about improving overall wellbeing, reducing the risk of stroke, and even managing cholesterol and blood pressure.

The good news is that there are simple, everyday actions that can strengthen the brain and help protect it from conditions like dementia. A professor of neurology at UCL and chief medical officer at Alzheimer's Research UK, as reported by SurreyLive, shares six effective ways to boost your brain this summer.

Keep Learning Something New

Challenging your brain with new skills helps strengthen neural connections and build what experts call "cognitive reserve." This means your brain becomes more resilient to the changes and damage that come with age. Whether it’s learning a language, picking up a musical instrument, or even trying a new hobby like painting or knitting, continuous learning keeps the brain flexible and adaptive.

The key is to choose something enjoyable. If it feels like a chore, you’re unlikely to stick with it. Sustained engagement in a skill encourages repeated use of specific brain areas, reinforcing those connections and helping your brain stay sharp over time.

Make Movement a Daily Habit

Exercise benefits both body and mind. It lowers risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity—all of which are linked to cognitive decline. Physical activity also improves mood, energy levels, and sleep quality, all of which contribute to better brain health.

Ideally, aim for some form of movement every day. This could include brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or even dancing. For maximum benefit, try to engage in more vigorous activity—something that raises your heart rate—for at least 20 minutes, three to four times a week.

Take Regular Walks

You don’t have to be a marathon runner to protect your brain. Even light-to-moderate physical activity like walking has significant long-term benefits. Walking regularly supports circulation, heart health, and brain function. It’s a low-impact, sustainable way to stay active, especially for those who are new to exercise or managing joint issues.

Walking outdoors also offers mood-boosting benefits, and doing it with a friend or in a group adds a valuable social dimension, which also helps protect cognitive health.

Stay Socially Connected

Maintaining strong social ties can be as important as diet and exercise when it comes to brain health. Social isolation has been linked to a higher risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Regular interaction with family, friends, or community groups helps keep the brain engaged and offers emotional support, feedback, and a way to gauge your mental sharpness.

Whether it’s meeting a friend for coffee, joining a club, or simply making a phone call, consistent connection with others plays a powerful role in keeping the mind active.

Monitor Your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a major contributor to vascular damage in the brain, which can lead to strokes, cognitive impairment, and forms of dementia. Managing blood pressure early—especially in your 30s and 40s—has a significant impact on brain health later in life.

Regular blood pressure checks, a heart-healthy diet, stress management, and exercise all contribute to keeping blood vessels strong and reducing the risk of long-term brain damage.

Use Brain Health Tools for Personal Insights

There are simple online tools available to help assess your brain health. These digital check-ins typically ask questions about lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, alcohol use, smoking, and sleep habits. Based on your responses, they offer personalized recommendations to improve your brain health over time.