Irregular Sleep Patterns Linked to Cardiovascular Issues
Irregular Sleep Patterns Linked to Cardiovascular Issues, Study Finds
A new study reveals that individuals with inconsistent sleep schedules face a higher risk of stroke and heart attacks. This remains true regardless of the total amount of sleep they get.
The research found that irregular sleep increases the likelihood of stroke, heart failure, and heart attack, even if individuals meet the recommended sleep duration. For adults aged 18 to 64, 7-9 hours of sleep per night is recommended, while those 65 and older should aim for 7-8 hours.
The study examined data from 72,269 participants aged 40 to 79 years old who were part of the UK Biobank Study. None of the participants had a prior history of cardiovascular events like heart attacks.
To track sleep patterns, participants wore sleep monitors for seven days, allowing researchers to measure their Sleep Regularity Index (SRI) scores. These scores were based on the consistency of daily sleep and wake times, sleep duration, and nighttime awakenings. A score of 0 indicated highly irregular sleep, while 100 represented excellent sleep regularity.
Participants were divided into three groups:
- Irregular Sleep Group: SRI score below 71.6
- Moderately Irregular Group: SRI score between 71.6 and 87.3
- Regular Sleep Group: SRI score above 87.3
The study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, monitored participants over eight years to track incidents of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.
Findings revealed that individuals in the irregular sleep group had a 26% higher risk of cardiovascular issues compared to those with regular sleep patterns. Meanwhile, those in the moderately irregular group experienced an 8% increase in risk.
This research highlights the importance of maintaining consistent sleep schedules to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
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