Sleeping with the lights on or the TV on can have a negative impact on heart health. Endocrinologist Zukhra Pavlova warned in the Telegram channel.
According to Pavlova, Tulane University scientists analyzed data from 11,000 people. The participants wore light-recording devices (trackers) for a week, and three years later underwent cardiac MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) examinations. In those who slept even in dim light conditions, changes in the function and structure of the heart were recorded, in particular, thickening of the heart walls and a decrease in the volume of the left ventricle.
"At night, even a small amount of artificial light has a real effect on the heart," the publication states.
Exposure to nighttime lighting has also been linked to an increased risk of heart failure, stroke and heart attack. The doctor explained this by the violation of the body's biological rhythms (circadian rhythms) and the reduction of sleep duration. He recommended sleeping in the dark, using blackout curtains or a sleep mask, and also avoiding leaving the TV on or keeping devices with light-emitting diodes in a visible place.
