Research has shown that people with inconsistent bedtimes can significantly increase their risk of sleep apnea and high blood pressure. The researchers explained that these results suggest that not only the total sleep time, but also the consistency of sleep patterns each night might potentially be directly related to cardiovascular health.
This analysis was derived from a smartphone-based sleep study that recruited approximately 1,000 adults across the United States. The study (Research Framework for Exploring Sleep Health, REFRESH) was jointly designed by sleep medicine researchers and clinicians at scripps Research's Digital Clinical Research Center to determine how long-term sleep patterns affect overall physical and mental health.
approximately 400 participants provided an average of two years' worth of sleep data through a digital activity tracker, while also completing a questionnaire assessing the risk of sleep apnea and identifying their morning and evening chronotypes. Roughly 40% of those analyzed identified as 'evening people'. The researchers selected the final analysis target based on the amount of data collected and the type of device used.
One hour difference in bedtime increases the risk of sleep apnea by more than two times.
The analysis revealed that even a one-hour variation in bedtime each night more than doubled the risk of sleep apnea and increased the risk of high blood pressure by approximately 71%. Such as, a person who typically goes to bed at 10 p.m. with an irregular sleep schedule, such as going to bed at 11 p.m. on some days and 12 p.m. on others, exhibited an increased risk.
Sleep apnea is a condition where the muscles in the airway relax during sleep,causing repeated blockages and pauses in breathing. This leads to decreased blood oxygen levels, which is known to elevate the risk of high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, heart disease, and stroke. High blood pressure,in turn,is a significant risk factor for myocardial infarction (heart attack) and heart failure.