Late Bedtimes May Signal Higher Heart Attack Risk, Study Finds
A new observational study suggests that people who habitually go to sleep after midnight face a greater risk of experiencing a heart attack, according to researchers who analyzed health data from a large, diverse cohort.
The investigation, conducted by an international team of epidemiologists and published in a peer‑reviewed medical journal, tracked the sleep patterns and cardiovascular outcomes of more than 150,000 adults over a ten‑year period. Participants reported their typical bedtime, and the researchers linked these self‑reported habits to hospital records of myocardial infarction. After adjusting for age, sex, smoking, body‑mass index, physical activity and pre‑existing conditions, the analysis showed that individuals who regularly retired for the night after 12 a.m. had roughly a 20 percent higher likelihood of a heart attack compared with those who went to bed between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Experts point to disruptions in the body’s circadian rhythm as a possible explanation. Late sleep timing can alter hormone secretion, increase nighttime blood pressure, and elevate stress‑related markers, all of which are known contributors to cardiovascular strain. Additionally, late sleepers are more prone to engage in behaviors such as late‑night snacking or reduced physical activity, further compounding risk.
Public‑health officials and medical professionals have responded by emphasizing the importance of consistent sleep schedules as part of a broader heart‑healthy lifestyle. Generic statements from health agencies stress that regular sleep, combined with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoidance of tobacco, remains a cornerstone of cardiovascular prevention. Some clinicians recommend aiming for a bedtime before 11 p.m. to align with natural biological cycles.
While the study adds to a growing body of evidence linking sleep habits to heart health, researchers caution that more randomized trials are needed to establish causality. In the meantime, individuals are encouraged to monitor their sleep patterns, seek guidance from healthcare providers, and consider earlier bedtimes as a simple, potentially protective measure against heart disease.
