The Daylight Saving Time Health Effects You Might Not Be Expecting, According to a Cardiology Specialist (Exclusive)

As you prepare for spring when daylight saving time begins this weekend, prepare yourself for the various health effects that may come with it.

On Sunday, March 10 at 2:00 a.m. local time, clocks across the United States and Canada will move forward one hour to 3:00 a.m. local time. A biannual weather event allows for more daylight at night from mid-March to early November.

Some like more sunlight during the day, but for those who want to catch the full eight hours of sleep (or parents who want their kids to stay in bed longer), it’s a less popular practice. This is because the weekly time jump results in one less hour of sleep.

dr. Rachana Kulkarni, regional director of cardiovascular services for RWJBarnabas Health and director of the Women’s Heart Center, tells PEOPLE that “everyone” is affected by DST because of circadian rhythms.

Commonly referred to as our internal body clock, the circadian rhythm is a “body discipline” that dictates multiple processes in the body. When this is disrupted, Dr. Kulkarni says, “the whole body and its basic metabolic function are affected.”

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While acknowledging the “wonderful” extra hour of daylight that comes with daylight saving time, Dr. Kulkarni — who is board certified in cardiology and nuclear cardiology — says it also comes with “some health challenges,” which she attributes to “disrupting the circadian rhythm.”

Because sleep is “one of life’s essential aids,” says Dr. Kulkarni, it’s one of the most important traits for maintaining good cardiovascular health. When our circadian rhythm is disrupted, it affects our sleep.

Fortunately, she says, “the most vulnerable in the first week” is our body’s initial response to sleep one hour less.

Read on for the negative and positive health effects associated with daylight saving time and helpful ways to combat the challenge.

Disturbed sleep could be a consequence of daylight saving time

Disturbed sleep due to daylight saving time.

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Since the time change causes everyone to lose an hour of sleep, a disrupted circadian rhythm can lead to difficulty adjusting to the new schedule.

The American Health Association offers several detailed tips for combating this challenge, but Dr. Kulkarni highlighted some of the salient ones. She says “we need to start thinking about this and changing our own health habits to improve” in the days leading up to daylight saving time.

One simple way to acclimate your body: “get outside and breathe in as much natural light as possible every day” after the weather change. And on the Saturday night before the jump, “get down a little early”.

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The risks of stroke and heart attack could increase during daylight saving time

The risks of heart attack and stroke could increase due to daylight saving time.

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According to Dr. Kulkarni, there are certain cardiovascular risks associated with daylight saving time, including an increased risk of stroke and heart attack.

Even during normal weeks, she says, emergency rooms and cardiologists see a “significant increase” in heart attacks and strokes on Mondays, though the reason is unclear; “There’s a lot of debate in the cardiology literature about why this happens,” she says.

“Now add that to circadian rhythm disruption,” Dr. Kulkarni says of daylight saving time—and the number goes up.

“There is a significant increase in heart attacks and strokes” in the days after the switch, she says, and that increase can last up to a week.

dr. Kulkarni says those “at risk of heart disease” and “risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, family history” should be careful about their health at that time. One particular group he mentions is postmenopausal women, who are “highly prone to cardiac and health risks due to sleep deprivation and circadian rhythm disruption.”

“We have data and research that confirms that one in four postmenopausal women is at risk of an irregular heart rhythm, such as atrial fibrillation,” she explains. “Sleep disturbance is very common in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women and this increases their risk.”

Daylight saving time could affect cognitive functions

As a result of sleep disorders or lack of sleep, cognitive functions can be impaired. That’s because our bodies need “seven to nine hours of sleep” to rest the body, heart and brain, says Dr. Kulkarni.

Lack of good sleep “can lead to cognitive decline because you can’t focus,” she explains. “If your body isn’t rested, you can’t focus on it the next day.”

Depression could be due to daylight saving time

Alarm clock in the snow.

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“Studies have shown that lack of good sleep, which is our body’s reset point for the next day, or irregular sleep, can lead to depression,” says Dr. Kulkarni. “Studies have shown that younger people are more likely to face depression and obesity due to lack of sleep.”

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Risks of diabetes and obesity are linked to lack of sleep

dr. Kulkarni says that disturbed sleep and bad nighttime habits are linked to weight problems that are linked to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

When we feel tired, she explains, “we’re less likely to exercise.” She says studies have shown that sleep loss can “increase the risk of visceral obesity, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.”

Younger people “are more likely to face depression and obesity due to lack of sleep,” while older people “are more likely to experience cognitive decline … and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.”

Vitamin D intake increases with daylight saving time

The ability to absorb vitamin D increases during daylight saving time.

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There are also many benefits associated with daylight saving time, including the most obvious: More sunlight!

“If we’re judicious about how we change our bodies, there are so many positive things we get from more daylight,” says Dr. Kulkarni.

“It allows us to get more natural light, which is good for the body… So we have to take advantage of all these positives,” she continues. “Exposure to natural light is a beautiful thing.”

Dr Kulkarni highlights the benefits of natural light. She says it “provides better health” thanks to increased vitamin D, but she also says it’s “amazing” for our bodies and our psyches.

Daylight saving time has more opportunities to practice

Increased daylight and high temperatures make physical fitness much more appealing during the hibernating winter months.

“My suggestion is to get outside and start exercising,” says Dr. Kulkarni.

“Now we’ll have lights when we go out [before work] and when we get home,” she explains. “So use the extra light we have.”

dr. Kulkarni suggests getting outside for a walk or a run—whatever form of activity will “get some fresh air.” She says these are all great advantages for “turning this challenge” of daylight savings time “into an opportunity.”

The possibilities of better hygiene increase since daylight saving time

During daylight saving time, exercise more outside.

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Despite the inevitable circadian rhythm disruption that affects sleep, there are ways to get your health back on track during Daylight Savings Time.

“We should know that these are challenges and we should prepare in a better way,” says Dr. Kulkarni. “Adjust our bodies, start sleeping a little earlier, avoid caffeine, establish good health hygiene – then you will reap all the benefits of daylight saving time.”

“Be afraid of risks, mitigate them [them], establish good sleep hygiene and then everything is fine,” continues Dr. Kulkarni. “It depends on us. I always say that knowledge is power!”

Maintaining good sleep hygiene and reducing screen time at night is also “super important for instilling those good health habits,” adds Dr. Kulkarni. “Avoid devices in the bedroom and turn off all devices an hour before bed to reduce exposure to blue light.”

“Dr. Kulkarni’s appeal to all people” during daylight saving time: “Limit your use of technology. This is a good time to go outside!”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education