Your Career Could Be Costing You Sleep. Your Heart May Be Paying For It.
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In a Nutshell
Men in their 50s who slept fewer hours were significantly more likely to have atrial fibrillation (AFib), a serious and common heart rhythm disorder. In that age group, each additional minute of sleep per night was associated with about a 0.9% reduction in AFib odds. The same relationship was not observed among men in their 70s, who were used as a proxy for retirement. Because the research was observational, it shows an association, not proof that short sleep directly causes AFib.
For many professionals in their peak career years, sleep often falls low on the priority list. Long work hours, stress, and packed schedules can steadily erode nightly rest. New research from Japan suggests that this trade-off may be linked to a measurable increase in atrial fibrillation risk—at least among middle-aged men.
The study, conducted by researchers from Kumamoto University and the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, found that men in their 50s who slept less were significantly more likely to have AFib. In contrast, the same connection was not statistically significant among men in their 70s, an age group used as a stand-in for retirement.
Understanding AFib
Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained heart rhythm disorder in adults. It occurs when the heart’s upper chambers beat irregularly and chaotically instead of in a steady rhythm. This abnormal electrical activity increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other serious cardiovascular complications. Established risk factors include high blood pressure, alcohol use, and structural heart disease. Sleep duration may now join that list as a potentially modifiable contributor.
How the Study Was Conducted
Researchers analyzed 36,363 Holter electrocardiogram recordings—continuous heart monitoring devices worn for extended periods. These monitors included built-in three-axis accelerometers, allowing investigators to estimate sleep duration based on movement patterns. Periods of low activity were classified as sleep. Participants wore the devices for a full week, providing a more representative picture of habitual sleep than a single-night study.
From this dataset, researchers selected two cohorts:
70 men in their 50s with AFib matched to 70 without AFib
70 men in their 70s with AFib matched to 70 without AFib
In the 50s group, men with AFib averaged about 349 minutes of sleep per night (5 hours, 49 minutes), compared with 383 minutes (6 hours, 23 minutes) among those without AFib. Statistical analysis showed that each additional minute of nightly sleep corresponded to roughly a 0.9% reduction in AFib odds in this age group.
Among men in their 70s, the average sleep difference between those with and without AFib—403 minutes versus 428 minutes—was not statistically significant.
Why Age May Matter
The researchers hypothesize that occupational stress and chronic sleep restriction during working years may contribute to the association seen in men in their 50s. Career pressures, commuting, and long hours can produce sustained physiological stress that may influence cardiac rhythm over time.
In retirement, many of these stressors diminish. Greater schedule flexibility may reduce chronic stress exposure, potentially weakening the link between sleep duration and AFib risk. The authors noted that sleep duration appears to be a modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation, particularly among middle-aged individuals exposed to occupational stress.
Interestingly, sleeping more than six hours per night appeared protective in both age groups. However, in men in their 70s, sleeping beyond eight hours showed diminishing benefit. Prior research has associated very long sleep duration in older adults with increased cardiovascular mortality, possibly reflecting underlying health conditions rather than restorative rest.
A Potentially Modifiable Risk Factor
Many AFib risk factors—such as age and genetics—are non-modifiable. Sleep, by contrast, is behaviorally adjustable. Improvements in sleep hygiene, stress management, and treatment of sleep disorders could represent practical intervention targets, especially for working-age adults.
The findings were published in Circulation Reports. The study was conducted exclusively in Japanese men, which may limit generalizability to women or other populations. Sleep was estimated using motion data rather than formal polysomnography, and conditions such as sleep apnea were not directly accounted for. As an observational study, it identifies correlation rather than causation.
Still, for adults routinely sacrificing sleep during demanding career years, the association warrants attention.
Disclaimer: This summary is based on an observational study and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. The findings demonstrate an association between sleep duration and atrial fibrillation odds but do not prove that insufficient sleep directly causes AFib. Consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding heart health, sleep disorders, or individual cardiovascular risk.