A new study led by researchers at Penn State College of Medicine has found that irregular sleep patterns during adolescence can have lasting effects on heart health. While it is well known that teenagers need adequate sleep, the timing and consistency of their sleep schedules play a critical role in cardiovascular risk.
The study, recently published in the journal SLEEP, identifies two key sleep patterns that may increase the likelihood of future cardiac issues. Researchers found that teens who had erratic sleep schedules during the school year and those who stayed up later during vacations showed signs of compromised heart health. Specifically, both groups had lower heart rate variability (HRV), a crucial indicator of cardiovascular function.
Heart rate variability is the variation in time between heartbeats, with a higher HRV reflecting better cardiac health. A reduced HRV indicates that the heart is less responsive to stress, and studies in adults have linked low HRV to increased heart disease risk. Although the long-term effects of these sleep patterns on adolescents are still unclear, the findings suggest that disrupted sleep schedules may set the stage for future heart problems.
The study monitored 360 adolescents, aged 12 to 23, measuring their sleep and HRV in both school and vacation periods. The research revealed that two distinct sleep issues were associated with lower HRV. The first involved teens whose sleep patterns fluctuated significantly during the school year. The second pattern was seen in those who slept in and went to bed later during vacations, showing a mismatch between their internal biological clock and external schedules.
Julio Fernandez-Mendoza, a professor of psychiatry and the senior author of the study, highlighted the importance of aligning adolescents’ sleep schedules with their natural circadian rhythms. Adolescents are biologically inclined to stay up later and wake up later due to shifts in their internal clocks, but academic and social pressures often force them into early wake-up times, leading to a misalignment. This disruption, known as circadian misalignment, can result in poor sleep quality and increased stress on the cardiovascular system.
“Misalignment between the body’s internal clock and external demands is detrimental to teens’ overall health, especially their heart health,” Fernandez-Mendoza said. He called for early identification and intervention to help at-risk teens maintain healthier sleep patterns and avoid long-term health issues.
The study also underscores the importance of recognizing the effects of sleep disruption on cardiovascular health during medical check-ups. By assessing adolescents’ sleep habits and timing, healthcare professionals can identify those who may be at risk for blunted HRV and work to prevent future cardiac conditions.
Researchers believe that early intervention, such as promoting better sleep hygiene and aligning sleep schedules with natural biological rhythms, could improve health outcomes for adolescents as they transition into adulthood. As Fernandez-Mendoza emphasized, “Preventing circadian misalignment now could protect teens from cardiometabolic diseases later in life.”
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