A new study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in London indicates that catching up on sleep during weekends may significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. The research, conducted by cardiovascular experts in China, found that individuals who got the most extra sleep on weekends were 19% less likely to develop heart disease compared to those who slept the fewest additional hours.
The study analyzed data from 90,903 participants in the UK Biobank project, aiming to evaluate the relationship between heart disease and "compensated sleep" – the practice of making up for lost sleep during the weekend. Approximately one in five participants were considered sleep-deprived, getting less than seven hours of sleep per night.
Researchers from the State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease, Fuwai Hospital, and the National Centre for Cardiovascular Disease in Beijing divided participants into four groups based on their amount of "compensated" weekend sleep. After an average follow-up of nearly 14 years, those who caught up with the most extra sleep on weekends – ranging from just over an hour to about 16 hours – showed a 19% lower risk of developing heart disease compared to the group with the least weekend sleep.
This study adds to the growing body of research highlighting the importance of adequate sleep for overall health. Previous studies have linked insufficient sleep to various health issues, but there has been limited research on how extra weekend sleep affects heart health specifically.
Dr. Muhammad Adeel Rishi, associate professor of medicine in the Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, who was not involved in the study, noted its limitations. "Sleeping longer over the weekend may reduce fatigue and sleepiness; however, [it] may not reduce the risk of obesity in people who are [sleep] deprived," Rishi said.
The study's observational nature means it cannot prove a direct causal relationship between weekend catch-up sleep and improved heart health. Other factors not examined in the study could potentially influence the results.
Additionally, experts caution that sleeping extra hours on weekends may not fully counteract the effects of significant sleep debt accumulated during the week. A 2019 study suggested a link between catch-up sleep behavior and increased snacking and weight gain.
These findings come at a time when many adults struggle to get sufficient sleep. A recent Gallup Poll revealed that only 42% of US adults feel they get as much sleep as they need, while 57% believe they would feel better with more sleep.
While the study provides another reason among many for compensatory weekend sleep, further research is needed to fully understand the complex relationship between sleep patterns and heart health. In the meantime, experts continue to emphasize the importance of consistent, quality sleep throughout the week for overall well-being.
