Is Your Sleep Schedule Breaking Your Heart?
Your bedtime habits might be doing more harm than you think. A groundbreaking study says that inconsistent sleep schedules — going to bed and waking up at different times — could increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart failure by 26%. And it doesn’t matter if you’re clocking a full eight hours of sleep.
Most advice on sleep focuses on duration. Seven to nine hours a night is still the sweet spot. But researchers now say that irregular sleep patterns may be an even bigger health risk. The study, which tracked over 72,000 adults aged 40 to 79, reveals that the more erratic your sleep schedule, the worse your cardiovascular health could get.
Here’s the deal: It’s not just about how much sleep you get. It’s about when. Experts say you should aim to wake up and go to bed within 30 minutes of the same time daily, including weekends. Dr. Jean-Philippe Chaput, the study’s lead researcher, stresses that waking up at different times is especially disruptive. It messes with your internal clock and triggers negative health effects.
The study used a sleep regularity index (SRI) to measure participants’ habits. A lower score indicated more irregular sleep. Those with the most chaotic schedules were 26% more likely to experience major cardiovascular events, even when they got enough sleep. Moderately irregular sleepers fared slightly better, with an 8% increased risk.
The takeaway? Consistency is king. If you need to catch up on sleep, go to bed earlier instead of sleeping in. Your body thrives on routine, and straying too far from it could be costly.
So, start small. Stick to a regular wake-up time, even on weekends. Keep your bedtime predictable. Your heart will thank you. And remember, it’s not just about sleeping more — it’s about sleeping smart.
