Daylights savings time ends this weekend so be sure to set your clocks back an hour and enjoy that extra hour of sleep! Did you know that Daylight savings time ending can actually have a temporary beneficial impact on your heart health. It’s true, when daylight saving time ends in the fall and we “gain” an extra hour, there can be some short-term positive effects on heart health. Here are a few ways this change can benefit our hearts:
Improved Sleep Quality
That extra hour of sleep can improve sleep duration and quality for many people, allowing for better recovery. Good-quality sleep lowers cortisol (a stress hormone) and reduces blood pressure, which is good for heart health.
Lowered Risk of Heart Attacks
Studies have found that the risk of heart attacks slightly decreases in the days immediately following the transition back to standard time. This is thought to be due to improved sleep and reduced circadian misalignment.
Better Blood Pressure Regulation
A more aligned sleep-wake cycle supports normal blood pressure regulation, which can reduce strain on the heart.
Reduced Inflammation
Quality sleep helps lower inflammation markers, which can benefit the cardiovascular system since inflammation is linked to higher cardiovascular risk.
This is very contrary to how the start of Daylight Savings Time affects our hearts in a very negative way. Listed below are 4 ways that “DST” impacts our heart health in a negative way.
Increased Risk of Heart Attacks in Spring
When we lose an hour of sleep in the spring, studies show an increase in heart attacks, particularly in the days immediately after the shift. This increase is likely due to a mix of disrupted sleep, circadian misalignment, and increased stress on the cardiovascular system. The “spring forward” transition is associated with:
• Higher blood pressure: Losing sleep and shifting the body’s biological clock can temporarily raise blood pressure.
•Elevated heart rate and stress levels: The disruption in sleep can increase stress hormones like cortisol, which also increases heart rate and blood pressure, adding strain to the heart.
Disrupted Circadian Rhythm
DST disrupts our circadian rhythm, the body’s internal clock that regulates sleep, digestion, and other biological functions. This disruption can affect cardiovascular function, as the heart relies on circadian rhythms for healthy blood pressure, hormone regulation, and metabolic processes.
Sleep Loss and Poor Sleep Quality
When we “spring forward” and lose an hour, many people experience reduced sleep quality and quantity. This sleep deprivation affects heart health in multiple ways:
• Inflammation: Poor sleep increases inflammation, which can damage blood vessels and increase heart disease risk.
• Elevated risk of arrhythmias: Disrupted sleep can raise the likelihood of irregular heart rhythms, potentially increasing the risk of stroke and heart-related issues.
Long-Term Impacts of DST
Some studies suggest that the regular switch between standard time and DST might have cumulative negative effects on heart health over the years, particularly as it disrupts sleep patterns and puts strain on the cardiovascular system.
Overall, both DST transitions affect heart health, but the spring transition generally has a more pronounced negative impact due to sleep loss and circadian misalignment.