This common sleep habit could double your risk of heart attack
Key takeaways
- Going to bed at different times each night during midlife could be a warning sign for future heart problems.
- The study found a strong connection between irregular bedtimes and an increased likelihood of major heart-related events.
- Major cardiovascular events in this research included conditions that require specialized medical care, such as myocardial infarction or cerebral infarction.
Why this matters: new research or scientific developments with potential real-world impact.
Going to bed at different times each night during midlife could be a warning sign for future heart problems. New research from the University of Oulu suggests that wide swings in bedtime may significantly raise the risk of serious cardiovascular events, especially for people who spend less than eight hours in bed.
The study found a strong connection between irregular bedtimes and an increased likelihood of major heart-related events. People whose time in bed was under eight hours and whose sleep schedules varied widely faced about twice the risk compared to those with more consistent routines. In contrast, irregular wake-up times did not show a clear association with heart issues.
Major cardiovascular events in this research included conditions that require specialized medical care, such as myocardial infarction or cerebral infarction.