Camilla Jessen
A small change to your nightly routine could have a significant impact on your long-term health.
A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that adding a little extra sleep each night could reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Researchers analysed data from more than 50,000 adults in the UK over an eight-year period.
Heart attacks, which occur when blood flow to the heart is blocked, remain a leading cause of death worldwide.
Symptoms can include chest pain, shortness of breath and dizziness.
Small changes matter
The study found that people who followed a combination of healthy habits, including good sleep, diet and exercise, had a 57 percent lower risk of cardiovascular events.
Even modest improvements made a measurable difference.
Adding just 11 minutes of sleep per night, alongside small lifestyle adjustments, was linked to a 10 percent reduction in risk.
Lead author Dr Nicholas Koemel said: “We show that combining small changes in a few areas of our lives can have a surprisingly large positive impact on our cardiovascular health,”
He added: “This is very encouraging news because making a few small, combined changes is likely more achievable and sustainable for most people when compared with attempting major changes in a single behaviour,”
Experts believe consistency is key when it comes to improving health outcomes. Rather than drastic overhauls, gradual adjustments may be easier to maintain.
Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis of the University of Sydney said: “We plan to build on these findings to develop new digital tools that support people in making positive lifestyle changes and establish sustained healthy habits.”
Sources: European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, University of Sydney.
