Maintaining a regular sleep schedule can be challenging, especially during a busy week, but new research suggests that catching up on sleep over the weekend may have significant heart health benefits. According to a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual congress, those who compensate for lost sleep on weekends may have a 19% lower risk of developing heart disease.
This association is particularly strong for individuals who regularly experience inadequate sleep during the weekdays, underscoring the importance of weekend sleep for cardiovascular health.
The study utilized data from 90,903 participants in the UK Biobank study, which tracks the health of over 500,000 people in the UK. Researchers monitored participants’ sleep patterns with activity watches and categorized them based on how much they compensated for lost sleep on weekends.
The findings revealed that those who caught up the most on sleep during weekends had a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease, heart failure, and stroke after nearly 14 years of follow-up.
For individuals with daily sleep deprivation, defined as less than seven hours of sleep per night, the protective effect of compensatory weekend sleep was even more pronounced, with a 20% lower risk of heart disease. However, experts emphasize that while these findings are promising, the study does have limitations, including its focus on the UK population, and the need for more research to confirm these results.
Chronic sleep deprivation has well-known negative effects on cardiovascular health, and while compensatory sleep may help, consistent sleep patterns throughout the week are still recommended.
Previous research on the effectiveness of weekend sleep catch-up has shown mixed results. Some studies have found that trying to make up for lost sleep can negatively impact diet, lead to weight gain, and reduce insulin sensitivity.
Therefore, the best approach for heart health is maintaining regular sleep patterns. However, when this is not possible, the recent findings suggest that compensatory sleep on weekends may still offer some protective benefits.
Sleep plays a critical role in supporting heart health, influencing factors such as blood glucose, blood pressure, and overall psychological well-being. Although the research is still in abstract form and further details are needed, it highlights the importance of sleep as a key component of heart health preservation.
Experts advise aiming for at least seven hours of sleep each night and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule to promote optimal heart health. If sleep issues persist, consulting a doctor is recommended to ensure that sleep habits are supporting overall well-being.
