Risk Rises When Sleep Duration Deviates from the Recommended 7-8 Hours
Short Sleep More Dangerous for Men, Long Sleep for Women
A long-term study has found that irregular sleep habits among Koreans increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. The risk of death rises sharply when both the recommended daily sleep duration is not met and sleep patterns are irregular.
According to a study published on August 19 in the international journal "Scientific Reports" by a cardiology research team at Hanyang University Hospital (Professors Park Jingyu, Kim Byungsik, Park Jinsun, and Park Sujeong), a follow-up of 9,641 adults aged 40 to 69 living in Anseong and Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, over an average of 15.5 years confirmed that both sleep duration and regularity are closely linked to mortality risk.
The results showed that compared to those who maintained an optimal sleep duration (at least 7 hours but less than 8 hours), those who slept for 8 hours or more had a 27% higher risk of death, while those who slept for less than 7 hours had an 11% higher risk. A stronger statistical association was observed with longer sleep duration than with simple sleep deprivation.
In particular, the risk was compounded when sleep patterns were irregular. When short sleep duration (less than 7 hours) was combined with irregularity, the risk of death increased by 28%. When long sleep duration (8 hours or more) was combined with irregularity, the risk soared by as much as 33%.
Vulnerability Factors Differ by Gender and Age
Clear differences were also observed by gender and age group. For men, the risk of death increased by up to 38% when short sleep and irregularity occurred together. For women, the risk surged by 78% when long sleep duration and irregularity were combined. By age group, those in their 40s were more vulnerable to sleep deprivation, while those aged 60 and older were more susceptible to excessive sleep.
The researchers emphasized, "Sleep deprivation, excessive sleep, and disorders such as sleep apnea can worsen cardiovascular health and increase the risk of premature death. It is important to go to bed at a consistent time every day and maintain a regular sleep duration of 7 to 8 hours." They added, "Tailored sleep management strategies that take into account gender- and age-specific risk factors are needed."
According to the "2024 Korean Sleep Status Report" released this year by the Korean Sleep Research Society, the average daily sleep duration for Koreans is 6 hours and 58 minutes. This is 18% less than the OECD average. In particular, the proportion of people satisfied with the quality or quantity of their sleep was only about 75% of the global average. About 60% of all respondents reported experiencing sleep problems, and the number of patients receiving treatment for sleep disorders and insomnia increased by 140%, from about 278,000 in 2010 to about 678,000 recently.
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