Written By |
A study shows that people who manage to get "compensatory" sleep on the weekend can reduce their risk of heart disease by a fifth
Search
The thought of a weekend lie-in is what helps many of us endure the stresses of the working week. Now, you can enjoy this weekend pleasure guilt-free, as scientists have revealed that catching up on sleep can significantly lower your chances of suffering a potentially fatal heart attack or stroke. A study shows that people who manage to get "compensatory" sleep on the weekend can reduce their risk of heart disease by a fifth. The findings may finally "put to bed" the argument over whether additional sleep is beneficial or detrimental to your health.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 90,000 people to examine the relationship between extra weekend sleep and heart disease. Sleep data was recorded using accelerometers for an average of about 14 years and then compared to the participants' health records. Of the participants, 19,816—or 22%—were classified as sleep-deprived, getting less than seven hours of sleep per night. While others occasionally experienced inadequate sleep, their nightly average hours of sleep were considered sufficient.
Hospital records and death registry information were used to diagnose cardiac diseases, including ischemic heart disease (IHD), heart failure (HF), atrial fibrillation (AF), and stroke. Those who managed the most compensatory sleep—more than 75 minutes—were 19% less likely to develop heart disease than those who got the least compensatory sleep. Among the subgroup of patients with daily sleep deprivation, those with the most compensatory sleep had a 20 percent lower risk of developing heart disease compared to those with the least. The analysis, showed no differences between men and women.
Sleeping longer hours, especially on weekends, could lower your risk of heart disease
Co-author Yanjun Song, of the State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease in Beijing, China, said,
"Sufficient compensatory sleep is linked to a lower risk of heart disease. The association becomes even more pronounced among individuals who regularly experience inadequate sleep on weekdays."
Co-author Zechen Liu, also of the State Key Laboratory, Beijing, China, added, "Our results show that for the significant proportion of the population in modern society that suffers from sleep deprivation, those who get the most 'catch-up' sleep on weekends have significantly lower rates of heart disease than those with the least."
Although it is not yet clear exactly how sleep benefits the heart, research suggests that disturbed sleep is associated with higher levels of a protein called CRP, which is a sign of inflammation—a process linked to heart and circulatory disease.
Experts believe that getting more sleep can help the heart recover and repair itself. Additionally, sleep is beneficial for weight management, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Professor James Leiper, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said, "Many of us don't get enough sleep due to work or family commitments, and while a weekend lie-in is no replacement for a regular good night's rest, this large study suggests that it might help reduce the risk of heart disease."
"We know that lack of sleep can affect our overall well-being, and this research is an important reminder of how crucial it is to try to get at least seven hours of sleep every night. We look forward to future studies that will help us better understand how sleep patterns impact the heart and how we can adapt modern lifestyles to improve our health."
Source: International Health Agencies
