It is often said that getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night is essential.
However, in recent years, evidence has emerged suggesting that consistency in sleep and wake times may be more important for health than sleep duration itself.
Now, a new study has revealed that if you do not have fixed sleep and wake times, this habit may increase your risk of developing heart disease.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, examined data from more than 2,000 individuals aged 45 to 84.
For seven days, participants wore a device that recorded their sleep patterns, after which their heart health was assessed.
Researchers analyzed factors such as plaque buildup in the arteries, the amount of plaque, and blood pressure levels. They then compared the sleep data with the heart health indicators.
The study found that irregular sleep and wake times increase the risk of artery narrowing. Over time, fatty deposits begin to accumulate in the arteries, raising the risk of heart attacks or strokes.
The results showed that a variation of two hours or more in sleep times within a week increases the chances of developing heart disease. The study also noted that consistent sleep and wake times are just as important as sleep duration. This is not the first study to link irregular sleep schedules with health issues.
A 2018 study also found that inconsistent sleep schedules increase the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and heart attacks.
That same study reported higher levels of stress and depression among individuals with irregular sleep patterns. The new research suggests that for good health, the difference in sleep times each week should be less than two hours.
This means that if you usually go to bed at 10 p.m., you should avoid staying awake past midnight on weekends.
While it may not be possible to make sleep schedules perfectly consistent, making an effort can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
