Doctors draw attention to the risks you expose yourself to when you follow an irregular sleep schedule.
According to a 2023 study published in Hypertension, delaying bedtime can have a huge health consequence. It is, in particular, about a surprising effect on blood pressure.
How do you put your health at risk if you don’t go to bed early?
The data focused on a nine-month period involving more than 12,000 adults, predominantly middle-aged men who were overweight, with and without high blood pressure, from 20 countries. A 34-minute delay in going to bed increased participants’ risk of high blood pressure by 32%, while a 90-minute delay or more increased the risk by 92%.
This remained true even in the case of people who slept the recommended number of hours of sleep after going to bed late.
“This indicates that people may need to consider not only how long they sleep, but also recognize the importance of keeping a regular sleep schedule for optimal cardiovascular health,” explains Professor Danny Eckert, lead author of the study.
Not getting enough sleep can cause hormone fluctuations, which in turn can cause spikes in blood pressure, according to cardiologist Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez (via Mayo Clinic).
“Sleep is believed to help the body control the hormones needed to control stress and metabolism. Over time, a lack of sleep could cause hormone fluctuations. Hormonal changes can lead to high blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease,” explained the doctor.
Effects on mental health
Lack of adequate sleep also has a significant impact on mental health. Doctors from Harvard Medical School discovered that people who do not sleep enough are more prone to depression, anxiety and other mental disorders. Insufficient sleep affects the chemical balance of the brain, disrupting cognitive and emotional functions.
Metabolism and the immune system also suffer
Another important aspect of recent research refers to the connection between late bedtimes and metabolism. Studies published in the Obesity Journal indicate that people who go to bed late have a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes. This is due, in part, to hormonal disturbances that affect hunger and satiety, leading to unhealthy eating habits.
Doctors also emphasize that lack of sleep negatively affects the immune system. A study conducted by the National Institute of Health showed that people who sleep less than seven hours a night are more prone to infections and have a longer recovery time after illnesses. Sleep plays a crucial role in cell regeneration and in the production of antibodies that fight infections.
So, if you go to bed late or have an irregular sleep schedule, it would be time to make a change, if you care about your health.