Kenneth Glad
An analysis spanning several years has identified a notable association involving extra time in bed on days off. Researchers caution that the findings do not establish cause and effect.
Research presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s ESC Congress 2026 suggests that modest additional sleep on days off may be associated with lower odds of hypertension. The presentation by Dr Nawon Lee took place on August 29 and examined whether catching up on lost sleep at weekends could make a measurable difference.
According to The Guardian, researchers analysed about 40,000 adults in South Korea over seven years. Weekend catch-up sleep was calculated by comparing how long participants slept during the working week with their sleep duration at weekends.
Those getting additional sleep had 6 percent lower odds of hypertension overall. The strongest association occurred among people who slept an extra one hour and 27 minutes, suggesting that relatively modest catch-up sleep may matter more than very long lie-ins.
The study found a link, but not proof that weekend catch-up sleep directly reduces hypertension.
Moderate catch-up sleep had limits
Lee said insufficient sleep can put additional strain on the cardiovascular system. “Getting some extra sleep on the weekend may give the body a chance to recover and reduce some of that stress.”
There is a physiological reason researchers are interested in the relationship. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says blood pressure normally falls during sleep, while sleep problems can keep it elevated for longer.
The trend did not continue as weekend sleep increased. People getting more than four extra hours were more likely to have hypertension, but the study cannot say whether the longer lie-ins were responsible.
The association was somewhat stronger among physically inactive participants, with 6.9 percent lower odds reported among those getting weekend catch-up sleep.
The broader health burden is substantial. WHO estimates that 1.4 billion adults aged 30 to 79 had hypertension worldwide in 2024, and 44 percent were unaware of their condition.
Hypertension commonly produces no symptoms while raising the chances of serious complications including stroke, heart attack and kidney disease.
Sources: Daily Express, The Guardian, European Society of Cardiology, CDC, World Health Organization.
