It turns out that having a fluctuating sleep schedule—falling asleep and waking up at different times each day—can increase your risk of serious heart issues by 26%. This risk remains high regardless of whether you get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
A study led by Jean-Philippe Chaput from the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute highlighted the importance of sleep regularity over mere sleep duration. The research team analyzed data from over 72,000 participants in the UK Biobank study, who wore activity trackers for a week to monitor their sleep patterns.
Their findings revealed that those with irregular sleep schedules faced a higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) such as heart attacks and strokes. The less consistent someone’s sleep, the higher their risk. Regular sleepers were more likely to get the recommended amount of sleep compared to those with irregular patterns.
The study suggests that while getting enough sleep can help, highly irregular sleep patterns still pose significant heart health risks. Irregular sleep can negatively affect the body’s management of blood sugar, cholesterol, inflammation, and immune function, leading to increased stress hormone release, higher blood pressure, and greater risks of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders.
Published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, the study underscores the American Heart Association’s emphasis on sleep duration as a key factor in cardiovascular health, now part of their “Life’s Essential 8” metrics.
Takeaway: If you have irregular sleep patterns, it’s important to consult with your doctor about ways to regularize your sleep to protect your heart health.
