Sleeping habits: Study finds irregular sleep patterns may raise risk of heart attacks and strokes by 26%

Just like food and air, sleep is also considered to play a major role in good health and lifestyle. However, amid the hustle and bustle of life, our sleep gets compromised to a large extent. The problem affects all age groups, from adults to kids. Nowadays, along with parents, children also do not have a fixed time to sleep.

A new study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health has found that this health hazard can be life-threatening.

Quality sleep is for 7-8 hours; less than that can lead to heart diseases

According to the study, even if an individual is getting quality sleep for 7 to 8 hours, irregular bedtimes and going to bed whenever it suits them can impact the body in several ways.

This lifestyle pattern has a strong connection with an increased risk of heart disease and strokes. The researchers in the study mentioned that the findings of the study suggest that irregular sleep may be more relevant as compared to sufficient sleep duration in managing the major cardiovascular risk.

Heart attack risk may increase by 26 per cent

The study examined over 70,000 people aged 40 to 79. For the study, the sleep patterns of those people were tracked, and they were checked to see whether they had a history of heart disease or stroke. The tracker also calculated the Sleep Regularity Index score, which showed that if the score was 87 or higher, then it is considered an irregular sleep pattern, while scores lower than 72 indicate irregular sleep patterns.

After years of examining the incidents of heart attacks and strokes, it was found that people who indulged in irregular sleep patterns were 26% more likely to experience a major cardiovascular risk, while those who had a better sleep pattern were at lower risk.

5 tips to sleep better

Create a sleep schedule: Maintaining a regular sleep time and schedule is very important for good sleep.

Avoid using electronics before bed: Using mobiles, laptops, or other electronic devices may disrupt the brain, which may lead to sleep problems.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol: Caffeine is a stimulant that can keep you awake; hence it is better to avoid it.

Exercise is key: Exercising helps to stretch the body's muscles and bones, which is considered good for sleeping well.

Choose comfort: Keep your room cool and calm before bedtime; it is extremely important for good and quality sleep.