No fixed bedtime? A study shows that it can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes by 26%, even if you sleep for 8 hours

Sleep is the foundation of good health, but in today’s hectic lifestyle, it often takes a back seat. What started out as a fixed bedtime of 9:00 PM in childhood gradually turns into an erratic sleep pattern as the demands of work, social life, and other factors arise. Somewhere along the way, sleep turns from a necessity into something optional, secondary to everything else getting attention, and especially without much sleep time. A study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health found that this is a serious health hazard and can even be life-threatening.

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Risks associated with irregular sleep

Even if you get quality sleep with a good 7-8 hours of sleep, going to bed irregularly, going to bed when you feel like it, is not a good idea. The study found that it found a strong link between irregular sleep schedules and an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart disease and stroke. Everyone cares how many hours you sleep, but when you go to bed is just as important. The researchers said: “Our results suggest that sleep regularity may be more important than adequate sleep duration in modulating MACE [major adverse cardiovascular event] risk”.

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Irregular sleep patterns increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by 26%

The study looked at 72,269 people between the ages of 40 and 79. They wore an activity tracker for one week to assess their sleep patterns and had no history of heart disease or stroke. The tracker calculated a sleep regularity index, with scores of 87 and above indicating regular sleep patterns and scores below 72 indicating irregular sleep patterns. Over the years, researchers tracked the incidence of heart attacks and strokes and found that people who slept irregularly were 26% more likely to have a major cardiovascular event than those who went to bed around the same time each night .

The study also found that those who maintained a regular bedtime were more likely to get the recommended hours of sleep compared to those with irregular bedtimes. Moreover, trying to catch up on lost sleep does not reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease for people with irregular sleep patterns. So there is no remedy or recovery if you go to bed irregularly often. Sleeping for 8 hours does not eliminate the consequences of irregular sleep. Start prioritizing sleep to stay healthy, and that means going to bed on time regularly.

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for any health concerns.