Irregular Bedtimes Could Be Harming Your Heart, Brain — Study

 

Going to bed at different times each night may be bad for your heart, even if you get enough sleep. Now, a growing number of studies suggest that irregular bedtimes, not just how long you sleep, can increase the risk of heart and brain problems.

Researchers at the University of Oulu, Finland, found that people with highly inconsistent bedtimes were up to twice as likely to experience serious heart-related events. This risk was highest among those who slept less than eight hours per night.

The study, published in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, showed a strong link

between irregular sleep timing and major health problems such as heart attacks and strokes.

Interestingly, waking up at different times did not show the same risk. The key factor appeared to be when people went to bed, not when they woke up.

The research followed more than 3,000 people in Finland for over 10 years. Their sleep habits were tracked using activity monitors, and their health records were later analysed.

People who had irregular bedtimes and slept less than eight hours had about twice the risk of heart attack or stroke compared to those with regular sleep schedules.

According to experts, this may be because the body relies on a consistent daily rhythm. Going to bed at different times can disrupt the body’s internal clock, which helps control things like hormones, blood pressure, and heart function.

Laura Nauha, one of the researchers, said regular sleep habits may be an important and simple way to protect heart health.

“Keeping a regular bedtime is something most people can control,” she said.

Short sleep makes the problem worse because the body loses both rest and routine. While the study does not prove that irregular sleep directly causes heart problems, the findings match what scientists already know about how the body works.