While occasional late nights on weekends, holidays, for movies, or parties may not immediately harm health, making it a daily habit negatively impacts cardiovascular well-being.

Disrupted circadian rhythm

The body operates on a 24-hour cycle, regulating sleep-inducing hormones, body temperature, and other vital functions. Staying up late disrupts this circadian rhythm, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and heart attack.

Blood pressure imbalance

Insufficient or poor quality sleep from late nights elevates blood pressure. Chronic hypertension is a leading cause of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and long-term vascular damage.

Increased inflammation

Sleep deprivation raises inflammatory markers in the blood, leading to vascular damage, promoting plaque buildup, and narrowing arteries. Sleep also affects the body's ability to regulate blood sugar and cholesterol.

Long-term late nights negatively affect the heart. AI-generated image.

Insulin resistance and weight gain

Inadequate sleep contributes to insulin resistance, weight gain, and dyslipidemia – all significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Quality sleep aids the body in energy recovery, tissue repair, and hormone balance.

Hormonal imbalance and blood clot risk

Staying up late disrupts hormones, particularly cortisol and melatonin. Elevated cortisol levels lead to increased blood pressure and blood sugar, which can trigger heart attacks. Sleep deprivation and circadian disruption also make blood more prone to clotting, raising the risk of coronary artery blockage and subsequent heart attacks. These changes may also cause the heart muscle to thicken and enlarge, increasing the risk of arrhythmias.

Individuals who stay up late often engage in unhealthy habits such as unbalanced diets, smoking, and high caffeine intake. To protect cardiovascular health, it is advisable to get about 7 hours of sleep daily, manage stress, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and undergo regular health check-ups to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.

To establish healthy sleep habits, go to bed and wake up at consistent times, and create a cool, quiet bedroom environment. Limiting blue light from electronic devices before sleep can also improve sleep quality.

Le Nguyen (According to Times of India)