Don't have a fixed bedtime? Study says irregular sleep pattern might raise risk of stroke & heart attack
A groundbreaking study reveals that irregular sleep patterns—defined as varying bedtime and wake-up schedules—significantly increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart failure by 26%, even for those clocking a full night’s sleep.
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Sticking to consistent bedtimes and wake-up routines may be more critical for heart health than previously thought. A groundbreaking study reveals that irregular sleep patterns—defined as varying bedtime and wake-up schedules—significantly increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart failure by 26%, even for those clocking a full night’s sleep.
While traditional advice to sleep between seven and nine hours nightly still holds, researchers are turning their focus to the stability of sleep schedules. The new findings, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, suggest that irregular sleep routines are “strongly associated” with heightened cardiovascular risks.
According to Guardian, Jean-Philippe Chaput, lead author from the University of Ottawa, emphasized the importance of consistent wake-up times. “We should aim to wake up and go to sleep within 30 minutes of the same time each night and each morning, including weekends. Beyond an hour’s difference each night and morning means irregular sleep. That can have negative health impacts,” he explained.
Chaput added, “Waking up at different times each morning really messes with your internal clock, and that can have adverse health consequences. If you need to catch up on sleep, going to bed earlier is better than sleeping in—try to wake up at the same time even on weekends.”
More than just hours of sleep
The study noted that while 61% of regular sleepers met the recommended sleep duration, only 48% of irregular sleepers did the same. Strikingly, getting enough sleep did little to mitigate risks for irregular sleepers, underscoring that consistency is as crucial as quantity.
“More importantly, our results suggest that sleep regularity may be more relevant than sufficient sleep duration in modulating major adverse cardiovascular event risk,” the researchers concluded.
The study provides compelling evidence of a strong link between irregular sleep and cardiovascular harm. Experts suggest prioritizing stable sleep patterns as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle, highlighting the effects of chronic disruptions to the body’s internal clock.
Also read: Why you should never wrap leftover food in aluminum foil, experts reveal deadly risks
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