November 29th 2024.
Recent research has shown that having inconsistent sleeping patterns can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, even if a person is getting the recommended amount of sleep. While previous studies have focused on the duration of sleep, the impact of changes to the sleep cycle has been less explored, according to a statement released this week by researchers.
To address this gap, scientists monitored the activity data of 72,269 individuals aged 40 to 79 for seven days. These participants had never experienced a major cardiovascular event. Each person's Sleep Regularity Index (SRI) score was calculated, where higher scores indicated more regular sleep habits. The team then tracked cardiovascular incidents, including death, heart attacks, heart failure, and stroke, over a period of eight years. The results showed that irregular sleepers were 26% more likely to experience one of these events compared to those with a regular sleep cycle.
Irregular sleep patterns refer to variations in the times a person goes to sleep and wakes up. The 26% calculation takes into account several factors, such as age, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking, which could have influenced the findings. However, since this was an observational study, it can only establish a link rather than a cause-and-effect relationship. In other words, it is not certain whether irregular sleep patterns caused the increased risk.
Furthermore, the researchers noted that individuals with a higher SRI score were more likely to get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep per night for people aged 18 to 64, and seven to eight hours for those over 65. In fact, 61% of regular sleepers met these guidelines, compared to only 48% of irregular sleepers. However, even those who got the recommended amount of sleep but had irregular sleep patterns still had a higher risk of experiencing a major cardiovascular event.
Lead study author Jean Pierre Chaput, a professor in pediatrics at the University of Ottawa in Canada, explained to CNN that recent research suggests that irregular sleep patterns may be a stronger predictor of mortality risk than insufficient sleep. He emphasized the importance of sleep regularity in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events, especially since high blood pressure is a leading risk factor.
Chaput recommended prioritizing consistent and restorative sleep for seven to nine hours per night. He also advised keeping bedtimes and wake-up times within 30 to 60 minutes of the usual schedule to support the body's natural circadian rhythm. Although minor variations are acceptable, maintaining a consistent sleep pattern can improve sleep quality, boost mood and cognitive function, and lower the risk of health issues like heart disease and diabetes.
In contrast, Chaput warned against relying on catching up on sleep during the weekends. While it is possible to recover some sleep by sleeping longer on weekends, it does not fully undo the negative effects of chronic sleep deprivation during the workweek. In fact, irregular sleep patterns can disrupt the body's circadian rhythm and lead to long-term health risks, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Chaput, who is currently collaborating with the World Health Organisation to develop healthy sleep guidelines, stressed the importance of valuing sleep as an essential component of overall well-being, rather than dismissing it as a waste of time in society.
The study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, highlights the significance of maintaining regular sleep patterns for overall health and well-being. It is essential to prioritize consistent and restorative sleep to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and other health issues.
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