Health and Nutrition
Irregular Sleep Schedules Linked to Higher Risk of Heart Disease, Study Finds
Inconsistent sleep and wake times can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and early death.
- Yitzhak Eitan
- פורסם א' כסלו התשפ"ה

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A study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health finds that irregular sleep and wake times may significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, even when total sleep duration is adequate. This groundbreaking research is the first of its kind to examine the combined effect of sleep duration and sleep regularity. The results indicate that people who don’t maintain consistent sleep schedules are at greater risk for heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.
Irregular sleep patterns disrupt the body’s biological rhythm and negatively impact health. Dr. Jean-Philippe Chaput, one of the study’s lead researchers, emphasized that sleep regularity should be included in public health guidelines and preventive care strategies for chronic disease.
Additionally, a previous study published in Sleep in 2023 highlighted that sleep consistency is an even more important factor than total sleep duration when it comes to mortality. Going to sleep at consistent hours reduced the risk of death from all causes by 48%. Dr. Andrew Phillips, a sleep science expert, noted that frequent changes in sleep timing can disrupt the body’s internal clocks, which regulate essential physiological functions like metabolism.
Experts recommend several simple steps to create a healthier sleep routine:
Set a consistent bedtime
Practice relaxing habits before sleep
Avoid heavy meals or caffeine in the evening
Limit screen time before bed
It’s also important to keep your bedroom quiet, dark, and cool. Above all, the most crucial tip is to maintain consistent sleep and wake times throughout the week. Even shift workers can benefit from trying to stabilize their sleep schedule as much as possible and gradually moving toward a more regular routine.