A new study published in the European Heart Journal suggests that going to bed between 10-11pm may be better for your heart.
The study found a 25% higher risk of heart disease in people who go to bed at midnight or later.
More surprising is the suggestion that going to bed too early may also be sub-optimal for your heart.
Dr David Plans, study author from the University of Exeter, stated, “While the findings do not show causality, sleep timing has emerged as a potential cardiac risk factor – independent of other risk factors and sleep characteristics. If our findings are confirmed in other studies, sleep timing and basic sleep hygiene could be a low-cost public health target for lowering risk of heart disease.”
Dr Plans further outlined that earlier or later bed-times may result in individuals missing important cues such as morning daylight, which help to reset the body’s internal clock each day. Plans said that “misalignment of behaviours and the circadian clock increases inflammation and can impair glucose regulation, both of which can increase risk of cardiovascular disease.”
If you don’t get enough sleep, the nightly dip in #bloodpressure that appears to be important for good cardiovascular health may not occur. Try to get 8 hours of #sleep a night so your heart can rest easy. pic.twitter.com/tbgZCn1kLH
— The Heart Truth (@TheHeartTruth) January 7, 2019
The study looked at 7 days worth of data on sleep onset and waking up time from over 88,000 people who participated in the UK Biobank project. Participants completed a questionnaire that assessed their demographics, lifestyle, wider health, and broader physical condition.
Participants were assessed again years later for new diagnoses of cardiovascular disease. This includes heart attacks, heart failure, chronic ischaemic heart disease, stroke, and transient ischaemic attack.
The results reinforced already established links between sleep quality and heart health. This link isn’t wholly understood by scientists, however, as outlined by Dr Plans, it’s believed to be associated with sleep’s influence on biological processes like glucose metabolism, blood pressure, and inflammations.
Healthy sleeping can help lead to a healthier you. Celebrate #SleepAwarenessMonth by learning the facts, like how sleep apnea and other sleep disorders may be associated with problems like high blood pressure and heart disease. https://t.co/fSG784VgGG pic.twitter.com/6RNnG83517
— American Heart Association (@American_Heart) March 19, 2021
Furthermore, the linkage between sleep time and heart health appeared to be stronger in women. The reasons for this were not clear according to scientists.
The study cannot prove causality between bedtime and heart disease as there is a multitude of other factors contributing to when we fall asleep, including staying out late and drinking. It does suggest, however, a strategy we can all employ for better long-term heart health.
