Catching Up on Sleep on the Weekends May Reduce Heart Disease Risk by 20%

A new study shows that catching up on sleep on the weekends can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 20%. Find out how extra sleep on the weekends can positively impact your heart health.

The Influence of Sleep on the Heart

According to the European Society of Cardiology, making up for lost sleep over the weekend can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study analyzed data from more than 90,000 participants in the UK Biobank project and found that people who slept more on the weekends to compensate for sleep deprivation during the week were less likely to develop diseases such as heart failure, heart attack and stroke.

How Does Catch-Up Sleep Work?

Not getting enough sleep during the workweek increases stress levels, blood pressure, and metabolic rate, which increases the risk of heart disease. According to scientists, catching up on sleep on the weekend can help normalize these physiological functions by reducing levels of inflammation and stress hormones linked to heart disease.

How to Improve Sleep and Heart Health?

Experts recommend that we aim for regular, quality sleep throughout the week, but in case of sleep deprivation, catching up on sleep over the weekend can be beneficial. For better sleep health:

- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule whenever possible.

- Use the weekends for extra sleep if you didn't get enough sleep during the week.

- Avoid caffeine and heavy foods before bed.

- Create a conducive sleep environment – ​​dark, quiet and free of electronic devices.

Why Are These Discoveries Important?

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. These findings highlight the importance of sleep for heart health and suggest that healthcare professionals should pay more attention to their patients' sleep habits when assessing cardiovascular risk.

Conclusion

A study by the European Society of Cardiology provides compelling evidence that catching up on sleep on the weekends can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. Implementing better sleep habits can not only improve quality of life, but also protect the heart in the long term.