Written by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 3, 2026 | Last Updated: March 3, 2026 Missing even a single hour of sleep can affect your heart, your brain, and your longevity. As a sports medicine physician, I have seen firsthand how critical sleep is for physical performance, injury recovery, and overall well-being. Whether you are rehabilitating from surgery, managing a chronic condition, or simply trying to optimize your healt