Read This: Can Weekend Sleep Catch-Up Lower Heart Disease Risk? New Study Says Yes
Sleeping in on weekends may reduce heart disease risk by nearly 20%, according to a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting.
Catching up on sleep during the weekend might be doing more for your health than just improving your mood. A recent study, presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting, suggests that sleeping in on the weekends could lower your risk of heart disease by nearly 20%.
Study Overview
Researchers gathered data from 90,903 adults participating in the UK Biobank project, a large-scale database containing the medical and lifestyle records of half a million people. The study focused on 19,816 individuals who met the criteria for being sleep-deprived, defined as sleeping less than seven hours per night on average.
These sleep-deprived participants were divided into sub-groups based on their weekend sleep habits. One group included those who managed to catch up on sleep over the weekend, while the other had those who remained sleep-deprived, even on their days off.
The Weekend Sleep Benefit
The findings were striking. Participants who managed to get extra sleep during the weekend—anywhere from 1.28 to 16.06 additional hours—had a 19% lower risk of developing heart disease over a 14-year follow-up period compared to those who didn’t catch up on sleep. In contrast, those with the least amount of extra weekend sleep continued to show higher risks of heart-related issues.
Why Does Sleep Matter for Heart Health?
It’s well-established that chronic sleep deprivation can contribute to various health problems, including heart disease. When your body misses out on essential rest, it doesn’t get enough time to repair tissues, regulate hormones, or maintain a healthy immune system. Weekend sleep catch-up may help mitigate these risks by allowing your body to make up for some of the lost time, potentially improving heart health in the long run.
How to Optimize Your Sleep
While this study shows promising results for weekend sleep catch-up, it’s still best to aim for consistent sleep throughout the week. Here are a few tips to help you optimize your sleep:
- Stick to a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends.
- Create a restful sleep environment by minimizing noise and light.
- Avoid heavy meals, caffeine, and screens before bed.
- Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation before sleep.
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