New research suggests that for adults who struggle to get enough quality sleep during the week, catching up on sleep on the weekends may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Getting at least seven hours of quality sleep each night is recommended, but many people accumulate a “sleep debt” during the week that they try to make up for on weekends.
A study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in London found that those who got the most extra sleep on the weekend were 19% less likely to develop heart disease compared to those who slept the least. The study analyzed data from over 90,000 participants in the UK Biobank project, focusing on the relationship between heart disease and “compensated sleep,” or catching up on lost sleep over the weekend.
Although the study has limitations and does not prove a direct link between weekend catch-up sleep and heart health improvement, researchers believe that getting extra sleep on weekends may have benefits. However, it may not fully compensate for a large sleep debt accumulated during the week, and could potentially lead to increased snacking and weight gain.
Despite the potential benefits of catching up on sleep, experts emphasize the importance of consistently getting enough quality sleep each night to maintain overall health. With only 42% of U.S. adults getting as much sleep as they need, it’s important for individuals to prioritize their sleep habits to support their overall well-being.
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