Sleeping with a light on tied to heart failure, stroke, heart attack

Key Points:

• A Tulane University study links exposure to more than 3 lux of light during sleep—comparable to moonlight brightness—to increased risks of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death.
• Sleep expert Chelsie Rohrscheib, Ph.D., explains that light exposure suppresses melatonin production, disrupting the circadian rhythm and reducing sleep quality, which in turn elevates risks for chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mood disorders.
• Research shows blue wavelength light from screens is the most disruptive to melatonin production, while dim, warm, red-toned night lights have minimal circadian impact and are less likely to interfere with sleep.
• Certain groups, including shift workers, children, older adults, and those with insomnia or mood disorders, are more vulnerable to the negative effects of nighttime light exposure on sleep.
• Experts recommend using blackout curtains and dim, warm-colored night lights to improve sleep quality without requiring complete darkness, helping to maintain a healthier sleep environment.