AHA offers tips to lower impact of daylight saving time on heart health
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Key takeaways:
- Daylight saving time begins Sunday, March 10 at 2:00 a.m.
- The rate of heart attack and stroke may increase as a result, and the AHA recommended several healthful behaviors to mitigate excess risk.
With the beginning of daylight savings time impending, the American Heart Association issued recommendations for healthful behaviors to avoid any adverse cardiovascular effects from the time change.
Daylight saving time begins Sunday, March 10, at 2:00 a.m., when clocks will “spring forward” 1 hour.
Citing a study published in OpenHeart, a press release issued by the AHA stated there was an approximately 24% increase in heart attacks on the Monday immediately following daylight saving time. Researchers in Finland also reported an increased rate of ischemic stroke during the first 2 days after daylight saving time, according to a study published in Neurology.
“We don’t really know exactly why there is an increase in heart attacks and strokes during the change to daylight saving time. It’s likely connected with the disruption to the body's internal clock, or its circadian rhythm,” Maria Delgado-Lelievre, MD, distinguished hypertension specialist at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine and American Heart Association volunteer expert, said in the release. “It’s important to be aware of this increased risk, especially if you already have heart disease or other risk factors. Recognize the signs of a heart attack or stroke and call 9-1-1 if you or someone you’re with experience any of those symptoms.”
To help mitigate the potential negative effects of the annual time change, the AHA recommended individuals spend more time outside in natural light; go to bed earlier in the evening leading up to daylight savings time; and to not compensate tiredness with consuming more caffeine.
“We know that the amount and the quality of sleep a person gets at any time of the year is essential to good health. That’s why the American Heart Association has added sleep to our Life’s Essential 8, which is our equation of four health factors and four health behaviors that are needed for good cardiovascular health,” Delgado-Lelievre said in the release. “In addition to increasing the risk for cardiovascular conditions like heart attack and stroke, lack of sleep may also put people at risk of things like depression, cognitive decline and obesity.”
References:
- Sandhu A, et al. OpenHeart. 2013;doi:10.1136/openhrt-2013-000019.
- Sipilä JO, et al. Neurology. 2016;doi:10.1212/WNL.86.16_supplement.S32.008.
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