We all know sleep is essential for good health.
It helps detox the brain, repairs tissues, supports the immune system, regulates metabolism, and keeps our mental health in check.
But did you know that how regularly you sleep might be just as important as how long you sleep—especially for your heart?
The Study
Researchers from the University of Sydney and the University of Ottawa took a deep dive into this question.
They analyzed data from 72,269 people aged 40 to 79, recruited from the extensive UK Biobank. Participants wore activity trackers for seven days to monitor their bedtime routines, wake-up times, sleep duration, and how often they woke up during the night.
Each person was then categorized into one of three groups: regular sleepers, moderately irregular sleepers, and irregular sleepers.
Over the next eight years, researchers tracked incidents of heart disease, including heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, and deaths caused by cardiovascular problems.
What They Found
The results, published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, were clear.
People with irregular sleep patterns faced a:
26% higher risk of developing heart disease.
8% higher chance of experiencing serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes.
Surprisingly, even those who got the recommended amount of sleep weren’t in the clear. If their sleep schedules were inconsistent, their risk of heart disease was still significantly higher.
Why Regularity Matters
This research highlights something many of us might overlook: it’s not just the number of hours you sleep that matters, but also how consistent your sleep routine is. Going to bed and waking up at different times can disrupt your body’s internal clock, potentially leading to long-term effects on your cardiovascular health.
The takeaway?
Aiming for a regular sleep schedule might be just as important as hitting your nightly sleep goal. By sticking to consistent sleep and wake times, you could help protect your heart and overall health in the long run.
This study serves as a wake-up call (pun intended) for anyone who thinks getting enough sleep is all that matters.
