Insufficient sleep raises heart rhythm disorder risk in adults

Getting enough sleep may be more important for heart health than many busy professionals realize. A new multicenter study conducted by researchers from Kumamoto University and the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, has found that insufficient sleep is linked to a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) among working-age adults.

AF is the most common type of heart rhythm disorder and is associated with serious complications such as stroke and heart failure. Although previous studies suggested a connection between sleep and AF, most relied on self-reported sleep data. This new research used an objective method: a one-week Holter electrocardiogram equipped with a built-in accelerometer to continuously estimate actual sleep duration during daily life.

The team analyzed anonymized data from individuals in their 50s-considered peak working age-and those in their 70s, representing retirement age. Among participants in their 50s, shorter sleep duration was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of AF. In fact, each additional minute of sleep was linked to a measurable reduction in AF risk. In contrast, no clear association was observed among participants in their 70s.

Interestingly, while longer sleep generally reduced AF risk, excessively long sleep did not provide additional benefit, particularly in older adults. The findings suggest that inadequate sleep may be a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor, especially for middle-aged individuals exposed to occupational stress and demanding schedules.

"Our results provide objective evidence that sleep duration matters for heart rhythm health, particularly in working adults," said Dr. Tadashi Hoshiyama of Kumamoto University. "Securing sufficient sleep may help reduce the burden of atrial fibrillation."

As modern lifestyles increasingly compress sleep time, these findings underscore a simple but powerful message: protecting your sleep may help protect your heart.