Scientific Warning.. One Night Habit That Could Change the Shape of Your Heart While You Sleep

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A scientific study involving more than 10,000 adults revealed that exposure to light during sleep, even if dim, is associated with subtle changes in heart structure and function.

The study published in the European Heart Journal relied on data from participants in the UK Biobank, and the results showed that individuals exposed to higher levels of light at night were more likely to exhibit signs of what is known as "cardiac remodeling," which are changes in its structure and function that may occur in response to chronic stress or heart injury.

The heart walls of participants who were exposed to light at night for longer periods were about 1.5% thicker compared to those who slept in near darkness, while the left ventricular mass increased by about 2.4%, and the heart's contraction efficiency decreased by about 1.9%.

Researchers found that indicators of heart changes began to appear in individuals who were exposed to light for about half an hour or more during the night.

Exposure to high levels of light at night is associated with an increased risk of several cardiovascular diseases.

The increase included a 29% rise in the risk of heart failure, a 15% rise in the risk of atrial fibrillation, a 24% rise in the risk of myocardial infarction, a 33% rise in the risk of stroke, and a 26% rise in the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases.

Researchers indicated that short sleep duration may be one of the factors explaining the relationship between nighttime light and heart changes, as this factor accounted for between 25% and 50% of the changes observed in the study.

Researchers suggest that light at night may affect the secretion of melatonin, the hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, which may lead to sleep disturbances and increased stress on the heart.

Despite the findings, the observational nature of the study confirms that it does not prove that nighttime light directly causes heart diseases or changes in its structure, but rather reveals a correlation between the two.

Researchers indicate that reducing light sources inside the bedroom, such as using blackout curtains or an eye mask, may be a simple measure to improve sleep conditions, while the mechanisms linking nighttime light to heart health require further direct studies.