Irregular Sleep Schedule Could Double Heart Risk

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Inconsistent bedtimes in midlife may increase the risk of serious heart problems later. That’s according to a long-term study from the University of Oulu in Finland. Researchers there used activity monitors to measure the sleep habits of over 3,200 people at age 46, then followed their health outcomes over 10 years.

They discovered that people who both spent less than eight hours in bed and had highly irregular bedtimes were about twice as likely to experience major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes, compared to people with more regular sleep schedules. The study found that bedtime consistency mattered more than wake-up time consistency. Irregular wake-up times alone were not clearly linked to heart issues.