Sleeping around 10 pm may save lives

(StudyFinds) – Bedtime is probably something that most people have only to do with their children. However, new studies show that adults also need to tighten their sleep cycles as well. Researchers have found that going to bed between 10 pm and 11 pm local time has a lower risk of developing heart disease than any other night.

Although bedtime after midnight resulted in the greatest increase in heart-related health problems, the team found that even bedtime before 10 pm increased the risk of cardiovascular disease in adults.

“The body has a 24-hour internal clock called the circadian rhythm that helps regulate physical and mental function,” said Dr. David Plans, a research author at the University of Exeter. .. Media release.. “Our study cannot conclude a causal relationship, but the results suggest that early or late bedtime can disrupt the body clock and adversely affect cardiovascular health. “

The authors of the study add that there have been many studies on the link between how long people sleep and how it affects their minds. However, the relationship between bedtime and heart disease remains unclear.

Researchers surveyed more than 88,000 participants from UK Biobank recruited between 2006 and 2010. These individuals ranged from 43 to 79 years and nearly 60% were female. The team collected data on 7 days of sleep habits via a wrist monitor and collected information on each person’s health history and lifestyle habits through a questionnaire.

Over the next 6 years, 3.6% of the group (3,172 participants) developed cardiovascular disease — experienced a variety of heart-related events such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack, and chronic ischemic heart disease. ..

The “sweet spot” at bedtime is from 10 pm to 10:59 pm

The results show that the highest incidence of heart disease was among those who slept after midnight. Conversely, the lowest was among those who fell asleep between 10 pm and 10:59 pm each night.

Overall, people who fell asleep after midnight were 25 percent more likely to develop heart disease than those in the sweet spot at bedtime. People who go to bed between 11 pm and midnight have a 12% increased risk of developing heart problems. On the other hand, those who went to bed before 10 pm had a 24% higher risk of heart disease than those who went to bed after 10 pm.

As researchers dig deeper into the results, they found that the link between bedtime and heart disease appeared to be stronger in women than in men. However, scientists have found that men who went to bed before 10 pm continue to show an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

“Our study shows that the best time to sleep is at a particular point in the body’s 24-hour cycle, and deviations can be harmful to your health. The most dangerous times are after midnight. This is because it is possible that you will see the morning light and your body clock will be less likely to be reset, “reports Dr. Plan.

Why is bedtime more important for women?

“There may be gender differences in how the endocrine system responds to confusion. Circadian rhythm.. Alternatively, the older age of study participants may be a confounding factor, as female cardiovascular risk increases after menopause. In short, there may be no difference in the strength of the relationship between females and males, “explains Dr. Plan.

“Survey results do not show a causal relationship, but sleep timing has emerged as a potential cardiac risk factor, independent of other risk factors and sleep characteristics. Our findings have emerged as other risk factors. If confirmed in the study, sleep timing and basic sleep hygiene can be low-cost public health goals to reduce the risk of heart disease. “

The survey results are published in European Heart Journal-Digital Health..