Are you someone who often finds themselves waking up and going to bed at different times each day? Well, you might want to pay attention to your sleep regularity, as a new study suggests that it could be more important than sleep duration when it comes to predicting heart attack and stroke.
The study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, found that individuals with irregular sleep patterns had an increased risk of cardiovascular events, even if they were getting enough sleep according to their age. On the other hand, those who stuck to a regular sleep schedule had a lower risk of heart attack and stroke.
So, what exactly is sleep regularity? It refers to how often you stick to the same sleeping and waking schedule. If you’re constantly changing your sleep times, it can disrupt your body and negatively impact your health. This research highlights the importance of prioritizing sleep regularity in public health guidelines to support cardiovascular health.
The study included over 72,000 individuals between the ages of 40 and 79 who had no history of major cardiovascular events. Participants wore activity trackers for seven days to record their sleep patterns, and based on this data, they were given a Sleep Regularity Index (SRI) score. The study found that irregular sleepers had a 26% increased risk of major cardiovascular events compared to regular sleepers.
Even getting the recommended number of hours of sleep wasn’t enough to offset the risks for irregular sleepers. However, having a more regular sleep pattern was found to be protective against cardiovascular outcomes. Experts recommend creating a consistent sleep schedule by waking up and going to bed at the same times every day, limiting screen time before bed, and establishing a wind-down routine.
In conclusion, prioritizing sleep regularity could be key to reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke. So, if you’re someone who struggles with irregular sleep patterns, it may be time to make some adjustments to your sleep schedule. Your heart will thank you for it!
