Bedroom temperatures above 75°F linked to heart stress in older adults

Fox News • February 17, 2026 • health

Key Points:

A study led by Dr. Fergus O'Connor from Griffith University found that bedroom temperatures above 75°F can negatively impact heart recovery during sleep in older adults, increasing cardiovascular stress.
Researchers monitored 47 adults aged around 72 in southeast Queensland over an Australian summer, tracking heart rates and bedroom temperatures for over 14,000 hours of sleep.
The risk of clinically relevant heart stress increased by 40% at temperatures between 75-79°F, doubled at 79-82°F, and nearly tripled above 82°F compared to cooler rooms.
Maintaining overnight bedroom temperatures at or below 75.2°F is recommended for individuals aged 65 and over to reduce nighttime cardiovascular stress, though the study's observational