The Puyat Problem: How Lack of Sleep Affects Your Heart

“Sanay Na Ako Sa Puyat” 

For many Filipinos, being puyat feels normal. 

Late nights at work. Long commutes. Family responsibilities. Scrolling on your phone to unwind because it feels like the only “me time” you get. You wake up tired, drink coffee, and push through the day. 

You tell yourself, “Okay lang. Sanay na ako.” 

But while your body may seem used to it, your heart tells a different story. 

Why Sleep Matters More Than You Think 

Sleep is not just rest. It is one of the most important times your body repairs itself. 

While you sleep, your heart rate slows down, blood pressure drops, and stress hormones decrease. This gives your heart and blood vessels time to recover from the demands of the day. 

When sleep is cut short night after night, recovery does not happen properly. 

Instead, your body stays in a constant state of alert. Stress hormones remain high. Blood pressure stays elevated. Over time, this puts extra strain on your heart. 

What Happens to Your Heart When You Are Always Puyat 

Chronic lack of sleep has been linked to several heart-related problems.

People who regularly get less than six hours of sleep are more likely to develop high blood pressure. Poor sleep also affects how the body regulates blood sugar and inflammation, both of which play a role in heart disease.

You may not feel these effects right away. Many people with sleep-related heart risks feel “fine” until routine checks reveal elevated blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, or early warning signs that something is off.

That is why puyat is often underestimated. The damage is quiet, gradual, and easy to ignore.

“Bumabawi Naman Ako Sa Weekend” 

This is one of the most common myths about sleep. 

Unfortunately, sleep does not work like a bank account. You cannot fully erase the effects of weekday sleep loss by sleeping longer on weekends. Irregular sleep patterns can actually confuse your body clock even more, making it harder for your heart and hormones to stay balanced. 

Consistency matters more than occasional catch-up sleep. 

Signs Your Sleep May Be Affecting Your Heart 

Some people assume heart problems always come with chest pain or shortness of breath. In reality, sleep-related heart strain can show up in subtle ways. 

You may notice frequent headaches, morning fatigue that does not improve with rest, increased irritability, palpitations, or rising blood pressure readings during routine checks. 

If these sound familiar, sleep may be playing a bigger role in your heart health than you realize. 

Why This Matters in Everyday Clinic Visits 

In outpatient clinics, many patients come in for concerns that seem unrelated to sleep. Fatigue. Headaches. Elevated blood pressure. Stress. 

But when doctors look deeper, poor sleep is often part of the picture. 

Modern clinics now look at sleep habits as an essential part of heart health. Not just how long you sleep, but how well and how consistently. 

Addressing sleep early can help prevent bigger problems later. 

How HealthFirst Clinic Can Help 

At HealthFirst Clinic, we take a holistic approach to heart health. That includes looking at sleep, stress, lifestyle, and medical factors together. 

Whether you need blood pressure monitoring, heart health screening, or guidance on improving sleep habits safely, our team is here to help you understand what your body is telling you. 

You do not have to wait until symptoms become serious. 

👉 Book a consultation at HealthFirst Clinic today and take the first step toward better sleep and a healthier heart. 

(02) 8860 9740 

Sources 

• American Heart Association. Sleep deprivation and cardiovascular disease 

• World Health Organization. Sleep, stress, and noncommunicable diseases 

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. How sleep affects heart health 

• Philippine Heart Association. Heart disease risk factors and prevention