Light nights, dark days
Light sneaking into your bedroom under a closed door or from city-glow and moonlight shining around (or through) your curtains is risky business, according to a study in the European Heart Journal. Researchers looked at data from more than 11,000 folks who wore light sensors on their wrists for seven days, and then three years later had a cardiac MRI scan. Those who were exposed to just that bit of light developed thickening of the wall of their heart's left ventricle, increasing their risk of heart failure and sudden cardiac arrest. They also had negative changes in their heart muscle's flexibility during heartbeats, an early sign of heart damage.
Then, during another eight to 10 years of follow-up, participants with high (vs. no) nighttime light exposure developed a 29% higher risk of heart failure, 15% higher risk of AFib, 24% higher risk of heart attack, 33% higher risk of stroke, and 26% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. That's on top of other studies showing that nighttime exposure to light increases your risk for diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and damages your circadian rhythm and immune system. Yikes!
In the bedroom, blackout curtains and/or blinds that cover the edges of your windows, tight door seals, comfy sleep masks, and no digital light from phones, clocks, air filters, etc. can reduce those risks substantially. Gotta have a nightlight? Make it red.
For more quality sleep tips, read my free newsletter at michaelfroizenmd.substack.com and my upcoming book "YOU: Getting Older, the Owner's Manual for Your Golden Years."
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at drmikerealage@gmail.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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