Maintaining a Consistent Sleep Schedule May Aid Heart Failure Recovery, Study Reveals

Emerging research highlights the significance of regular sleep patterns for individuals recovering from heart failure. A recent study conducted by Oregon Health & Science University suggests that adhering to consistent bedtimes and wake times can potentially reduce the risk of future adverse health events.

The study involved 32 patients hospitalized due to acute decompensated heart failure. Following discharge, participants recorded their sleep habits for a week, noting sleep onset, wake times, and daytime naps through sleep diaries. Based on these records, they were classified into either regular sleepers or moderately irregular sleepers.

Over the subsequent six months, 21 participants experienced clinical events such as emergency visits, hospitalizations, or even death. Notably, those with irregular sleep schedules were more than twice as likely to face such events compared to their regularly sleeping counterparts. This increased risk persisted even after accounting for other factors like sleep disorders and underlying health conditions.

Lead researcher Brooke Shafer emphasized that consistency in sleep timing could serve as a low-cost, effective strategy to improve outcomes for heart failure patients. She explained that irregular sleep disrupts the body's cardiovascular regulation mechanisms, which might contribute to adverse health events.

The findings underscore the importance of sleep regularity in cardiovascular health, especially for vulnerable populations. Future research aims to expand these findings into larger cohorts and determine whether interventions to improve sleep consistency can actively decrease the risk of clinical events.

In conclusion, maintaining a steady sleep schedule could be a simple yet impactful approach to supporting heart failure recovery and overall heart health.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-regular-recovery-heart-failure.html