A new study suggests that nearly two-thirds of Americans are either sleeping too little or too much, jeopardizing their health. The research, published on February 27 in JAMA Network Open, indicates that irregular sleep habits, deviating from the recommended seven to nine hours per night, significantly elevate the risk of premature death from various causes.
The study, led by Kelsie Full, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, found that individuals with inconsistent sleep patterns over a five-year period faced a 29% increased risk of dying prematurely. “These findings offer new evidence that erratic sleep can contribute to higher mortality rates, particularly from cardiovascular diseases,” the researchers concluded.
The study analyzed data from nearly 47,000 adults aged 40 to 79 who participated between 2002 and 2009, with follow-up surveys conducted through 2013. Participants were grouped into categories based on their sleep patterns, referred to as “trajectories.” For instance, those in a “long-short” trajectory began with excessive sleep and later reported inadequate rest, while the “short-long” group started with insufficient sleep and eventually overslept.
The results showed that 66% of participants reported irregular sleep patterns. Specific findings for different sleep trajectories included:
- A 29% increased risk of death from any cause for those in the short-long group.
- A 19% increased risk for the long-short group.
- A 27% increased risk for the long-long group.
In terms of cardiovascular-related deaths, individuals in the long-short trajectory saw a 32% higher risk, followed by a 22% increase for both the short-long and long-long groups.
The study also revealed that these associations were stronger among White adults and individuals with household incomes above $15,000. No significant differences were found based on sex.
In an accompanying editorial, Dayna Johnson, an associate professor of epidemiology at Emory University, emphasized the importance of maintaining consistent sleep patterns. “The research underscores the health risks associated with irregular sleep and raises concerns about the potential for recovery from insufficient sleep,” she wrote. “It’s crucial to understand how long it takes to reverse the adverse effects of poor sleep on health outcomes.”
The study highlights the need for individuals to prioritize healthy, consistent sleep habits to reduce the risk of serious health complications.
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