[Hinews] A new study presented at the European Society of Cardiology conference suggests that catching up on sleep over the weekend may reduce the risk of heart disease for those who are chronically sleep-deprived during the week. Researchers from China analyzed data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale health database, and found a notable correlation between weekend sleep and improved heart health outcomes.

The research team examined sleep records from 90,903 participants who self-reported their sleep duration. Of these, 19,816 individuals averaging less than seven hours of sleep per night were classified as sleep-deprived. These participants were then divided into four groups based on the amount of sleep they got on weekends and tracked over an average of 14 years.

The findings revealed that the group with the most weekend sleep had a 19% lower rate of heart disease compared to the group with the least weekend sleep. However, experts caution that the study establishes a correlation, not causation, and other unaccounted factors may have influenced the results.

A study suggests that extra weekend sleep may lower heart disease risk by 19% for sleep-deprived individuals, based on UK Biobank data. Experts caution that this correlation does not prove causation and may not fully offset chronic sleep deficiency risks. / Image Design=GDH AI Design Team
A study suggests that extra weekend sleep may lower heart disease risk by 19% for sleep-deprived individuals, based on UK Biobank data. Experts caution that this correlation does not prove causation and may not fully offset chronic sleep deficiency risks. / Image Design=GDH AI Design Team
Dr. Muhammad Adil Rishi, an associate professor of sleep medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, noted, “There could be other unidentified variables contributing to these findings.” He emphasized that while weekend sleep may alleviate fatigue and sleepiness, it does not fully counteract the negative health effects of chronic sleep deprivation.

Experts also warn that extra weekend sleep cannot completely offset the risks associated with insufficient sleep during the week, such as an increased likelihood of obesity. “Sleeping longer on weekends may help reduce tiredness, but it’s unlikely to mitigate risks like obesity that are linked to chronic sleep deficiency,” Dr. Rishi said.
The study underscores the importance of consistent sleep patterns for overall health, while highlighting that compensatory weekend sleep may offer some cardiovascular benefits for those struggling to get enough rest during the week.

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