Irregular Sleep Patterns Raise Heart Disease Risk Across US, UK

Multiple studies highlight that sleep quality and timing significantly impact heart health. Consistently getting less than seven hours of sleep disrupts cardiovascular repair processes, increasing risks of hypertension, irregular heartbeat, and heart disease. Chronic insomnia further exacerbates these risks by triggering hormonal imbalances and inflammation that strain the heart and other bodily systems. Research indicates that adults who fall asleep between 10 and 11 p.m. have the lowest risk of heart disease, while going to bed before 10 p.m. or after midnight raises cardiovascular risk by about 24-25%, with women being more affected by irregular sleep timing. Irregular sleep patterns also elevate nighttime blood pressure and stress hormone production, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks during the early morning hours. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule aligned with the body's circadian rhythm is critical to protecting heart health and overall wellbeing.