Sleeping With the Light On at Night? Study Warns of Possible Heart Risks

A recent study published in the European Heart Journal has highlighted a possible connection between exposure to light during sleep and cardiovascular health. Researchers reported that people who slept in rooms with light levels above 3 lux showed thicker heart muscle and left ventricular walls. Nighttime exposure can come from sources such as smartphone screens, digital clock displays and streetlights entering through windows.

According to the findings, excessive light exposure at night may also interfere with sleep and the body’s normal hormonal rhythm. Poor sleep and changes in blood pressure can affect overall cardiovascular health. However, an association observed in a study does not necessarily prove that nighttime light directly causes heart disease. Keeping the bedroom as dark as comfortably possible, reducing screen exposure before bedtime and limiting unnecessary light sources may support better sleep.