Khaberni - A new study conducted by Finnish scientists has shown that sticking to a consistent bedtime may have a crucial impact on heart health, especially if the person sleeps less than eight hours per night.
Researchers from the University of Oulu analyzed the data of 3,231 participants with an average age of around 46 years. The scientists monitored the participants' activity and sleep schedules using wearable devices, then observed their health status over a decade.
The results showed that participants whose sleep schedules were irregular faced serious cardiovascular events at a rate more than double compared to those who went to sleep at the same time daily. "Irregularity" here refers to an average variability in bedtime amounting to 108 minutes, whereas this indicator in the regular group was only 33 minutes.
The Protective Effect of Long Sleep
Interestingly, the discovered relationship was evident among those who slept less than eight hours only, whereas those who rested for a longer period did not see an increased risk even with an irregular sleep schedule. According to the researchers, a sufficient duration of sleep can compensate for the damage caused by the absence of a fixed routine.
The lead researcher, Laura Nauha, explained this phenomenon as related to disruptions in the circadian rhythms. The continual change in sleep timing "disrupts" the body's internal biological clock, preventing the heart from fully recovering. In addition, a volatile schedule often indicates high levels of stress or mental health issues, which negatively impacts cardiovascular health.
Although the study is observational and does not prove a direct causal relationship, the scientists emphasize that the sleep routine is a factor most people can control themselves. Considering that cardiovascular diseases claim nearly 18 million lives globally each year, adhering to a regular bedtime, even if it involves using an alarm, may become one of the most effective and least costly preventative measures.
The results of the study were published in the journal BMC Cardiovascular Disorders.
