Many people believe that small changes in their sleep schedule won’t affect their health. However, new research from Flinders University suggests otherwise.
The study found that losing even an hour of sleep or frequently changing sleep schedules can significantly increase the risk of high blood pressure, especially in overweight middle-aged men.
The study, published in Hypertension, is one of the largest to examine how inconsistent sleep patterns impact blood pressure.
Researchers analyzed data from 12,287 adults, collecting information over more than two million nights of sleep. Most participants were men, and on average, they were overweight.
The study used under-mattress sensors to track sleep and remote devices to measure blood pressure over a period of nine months. Each person had their blood pressure recorded about 30 times during the study.
The results showed a clear link between irregular sleep and hypertension. People who changed their bedtime by more than 30 minutes from one night to the next had a 32% higher risk of high blood pressure. Other variations, such as inconsistent wake-up times or mid-sleep times, were also linked to increased risk.
Researchers explained that sleep patterns are controlled by the body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm. When people frequently shift their sleep schedule, it disrupts this system, leading to problems such as high blood pressure. Inconsistent sleep can also create a cycle where poor sleep habits make it even harder to maintain a regular schedule.
The study also confirmed previous research showing that both too little sleep (less than six hours) and too much sleep (more than nine hours) can raise blood pressure. However, the new findings reveal that even if people sleep the recommended seven to nine hours on average, frequent changes in sleep timing can still harm their heart health.
Dr. Hannah Scott, a sleep researcher at Flinders University, emphasized the importance of not only getting enough sleep but also keeping a consistent schedule. “We need to monitor both the amount of sleep and the regularity of our sleep schedule,” she said.
Dr. Bastien Lechat, another researcher on the study, added that fluctuating sleep patterns are a clear warning sign for heart health. “Irregular sleep is just as important as total sleep duration when it comes to cardiovascular risk,” he explained.
Professor Danny Eckert, a senior sleep researcher, noted that the study reinforces what experts already know about poor sleep habits. “This research adds to growing evidence that sleep quality and consistency are crucial for overall health,” he said.
“We already know that poor sleep can lead to obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Now, we see that even small variations in sleep patterns can contribute to these risks.”
The study highlights the need for better awareness about the health effects of sleep irregularity. While further research is needed to explore other health risks linked to shifting sleep schedules, the message is clear: maintaining a stable bedtime and wake-up routine is just as important as getting enough sleep.
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The research findings can be found in Hypertension.
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