sleep-wake cycles
Is Obeying the Clock Really Necessary?
Posted by Fred Hardinge on
One of the most common rites of passage among young people is their newfound freedom to ignore a "normal" bedtime. As a result, their activity and sleep habits get out of alignment with the natural day-night cycle. We learn to disobey the clock that was programmed into our systems by the Creator to help us anticipate the rising and setting of the sun.
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Disturbed Sleep Cycles Can Increase Risk for Heart Disease
Posted by Fred Hardinge on
Interruption of the normal sleep-wake cycle may risk serious health consequences.
Evidence is increasing that night-shift work can raise the risk of cardiovascular disease. In a randomized, crossover trial 30 healthy Austrian physicians submitted to a battery of tests to determine the effects of a prolonged workday on heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac rhythm, and biochemical markers. When compared with routine work days, those with prolonged workdays experienced significantly higher diastolic blood pressure, more premature ventricular contractions, and higher levels of biomarkers of stress.