Study finds bedtime is associated with heart health

According to a study led by an international team of researchers, going to sleep between 10:00 and 11:00 pm is associated with a lower risk of developing heart disease compared to earlier or later bedtimes. The study was published in the European Heart Journal - Digital Health, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The body has a 24-hour internal clock, called circadian rhythm, that helps regulate physical and mental functioning. While we cannot conclude causation from our study, the results suggest that early or late bedtimes may be more likely to disrupt the body clock, with adverse consequences for cardiovascular health. The association with increased cardiovascular risk was stronger in women, with only sleep onset before 10:00 pm remaining significant for men. Sleep timing and basic sleep hygiene could be a low-cost public health targets for lowering the risk of heart disease.