Irregular Sleep Patterns Linked to Higher Heart Attack and Stroke Risk, Study Finds

New research suggests sleep regularity may be more critical to heart health than sleep duration alone.

A study of over 72,000 participants aged 40 to 79 found that irregular sleep patterns increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure by 26%.
The research, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, tracked participants' sleep patterns using activity trackers over seven days and followed their health outcomes for eight years.
Irregular sleepers faced higher cardiovascular risks regardless of whether they met the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
Moderately irregular sleepers saw reduced risks if they achieved adequate sleep, highlighting the potential interplay between sleep duration and regularity.
Experts note that irregular sleep may contribute to inflammation and poor lifestyle choices, emphasizing the need for further research into its impact on heart health.