Health
Sleeping longer on weekends could lower heart disease risk by 20%, study finds
![Sleeping longer on weekends could lower heart disease risk by 20%, study finds Sleeping longer on weekends could lower heart disease risk by 20%, study finds](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/12/woman-sleeping-in.jpg)
For many people who wake up early to attend school or work during the week, lack of sleep is a common complaint.
In a recent Gallup poll, 57% of adults said they would “feel better if they got more sleep,” while only 42% said they get “as much sleep as they need.”
Sleeping late on the weekends is a natural response for some — and new research has found that catching up on shuteye in this way can have surprising benefits for heart health.
AMERICANS NEED MORE SLEEP, LESS STRESS, EXPERTS SAY, AS GALLUP POLL REVEALS TROUBLING FINDINGS
At the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2024 in London, which will take place Aug. 30 through Sept. 2, Chinese cardiovascular researchers will present findings from a U.K. Biobank study, which analyzed sleep data from 90,903 individuals over a median of 14 years.
A total of 19,816 (21.8%) of these participants reported being sleep-deprived, getting less than seven hours of sleep per night, while the rest experienced occasional inadequate sleep, according to a press release on the ESC website.
“Although it’s not a double-blinded prospective randomized trial, it shows a significant decrease in the risk of heart disease in a large group who slept more on weekends,” a doctor told Fox News Digital of the study. (iStock)
Those who caught up on the most sleep over the weekends were found to have a 20% lower risk of developing heart disease — including ischemic heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and stroke — compared to those with the least sleep.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
This was based on analysis of hospitalization records and death registry information, the release stated.
GOING TO BED AFTER THIS TIME COULD LEAD TO POORER MENTAL HEALTH, A STANFORD STUDY FINDS
Study co-author Yanjun Song of the State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease at Fuwai Hospital, National Centre for Cardiovascular Disease, in Beijing, China, confirmed in the release that “sufficient compensatory sleep is linked to a lower risk of heart disease.”
![Woman sleeping in](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/12/1200/675/woman-sleeping-in.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Those who caught up on the most sleep over the weekends were found to have a 20% lower risk of developing heart disease. (iStock)
He added, “The association becomes even more pronounced among individuals who regularly experience inadequate sleep on weekdays.”
GOING TO BED AFTER THIS TIME COULD LEAD TO POORER MENTAL HEALTH, A STANFORD STUDY FINDS
Co-author Zechen Liu, who belongs to the same hospital, commented in the release, “Our results show that for the significant proportion of the population in modern society that suffers from sleep deprivation, those who have the most ‘catch-up’ sleep [on] weekends have significantly lower rates of heart disease than those with the least.”
![Senior couple sleeping](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/senior-couple-sleeping.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
The new study indicates “a significant decrease in the risk of heart disease in a large group who slept more on weekends.” (iStock)
Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, said the new research is “revealing.”
“Although it’s not a double-blinded prospective randomized trial, it shows a significant decrease in the risk of heart disease in a large group who slept more on weekends,” Siegel, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital.
![woman sleeping in a bed](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/05/1200/675/iStock-1745865419.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Making up for “sleep debt” on weekends is restorative, a doctor said, allowing the brain to purge itself of toxins. (iStock)
Making up for “sleep debt” on weekends is restorative, the doctor said, allowing the brain to purge itself of toxins.
“It is recuperative with overall less stress hormone release, which impacts the heart favorably,” Siegel added.
The study authors recognized that a majority of the respondents’ sleep habits did not meet the criteria for sleep deprivation, which is a limitation of the study.
For more Health articles, visit foxnews.com/health
Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for further comment.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Health
Fauci gets West Nile virus, plus dementia advice and wellness for veterans
![Fauci gets West Nile virus, plus dementia advice and wellness for veterans Fauci gets West Nile virus, plus dementia advice and wellness for veterans](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/HNL-split.png)
Former NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci was hospitalized earlier this month with the West Nile virus and is now recovering at home, according to a report. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images, main, E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images, top right, NIH-NIAID/IMAGE POINT FR/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images, bottom right.)
HIGH-PROFILE INFECTION – Dr. Anthony Fauci was diagnosed with West Nile virus. Here’s what you should know about the mosquito-borne disease. Continue reading…
TURTLE TURMOIL – A salmonella outbreak was caused by tiny pet turtles in various U.S. states. The CDC shares safety tips to prevent infection. Continue reading…
SAY THIS, NOT THAT – Here are 16 safe things to say to a loved one who is struggling with dementia. Continue reading…
![Dementia communication: couples interacting](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/dementia-communucation-split.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
For loved ones of dementia patients, communication is often one of the biggest challenges. (iStock)
DRASTIC MEASURES – Some Northeastern towns have issued a voluntary lockdown to prevent the spread of a potentially deadly illness. Continue reading…
‘MISLEADING CLAIMS’ – A new study finds that most baby foods don’t meet nutritional guidelines. Certain convenience products were rated least healthy. Continue reading…
MPOX VS. COVID – Is mpox (formerly monkeypox) the next coronavirus? Infectious disease experts weigh in on the pandemic potential. Continue reading…
![Woman itchy rash](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/woman-itchy-rash.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Symptoms of mpox include a sometimes painful rash on various parts of the body, fever, chills, exhaustion, muscle aches, headache, swollen lymph nodes and respiratory symptoms. (iStock)
TOAST TO HEALTH – Here’s why some experts say drinking red wine in moderation can boost brain and heart health. Continue reading…
‘NO RULES’ DIET – Celebrity fitness trainer Megan Roup has embraced intuitive eating as an effective nutrition plan for her family. She shares the benefits here. Continue reading…
HOME HEALTH AIDS – These 11 monitoring devices keep track of everything from blood pressure to glucose levels — and they’re HSA-eligible. Continue reading…
WHAT VETS WANT – A poll revealed what’s most important to veterans in a presidential candidate, including a commitment to providing better health care and addressing the homelessness crisis. Continue reading…
![Homeless veteran](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/homeless-veteran.png?ve=1&tl=1)
From 2022 to 2023, 21% of veterans in the city of Chicago experienced homelessness, while 34% were without homes in California. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
FOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
YouTube
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS
Fox News First
Fox News Opinion
Fox News Lifestyle
Fox News Health
Fox News Autos
Fox News Entertainment (FOX411)
DOWNLOAD OUR APPS
Fox News
Fox Business
Fox Weather
Fox Sports
Tubi
WATCH FOX NEWS ONLINE
Fox News Go
STREAM FOX NATION
Fox Nation
Health
Exclusive: How RHOC's Braunwun Lost Weight With Enhance.MD | Woman's World
![Exclusive: How RHOC's Braunwun Lost Weight With Enhance.MD | Woman's World Exclusive: How RHOC's Braunwun Lost Weight With Enhance.MD | Woman's World](https://www.womansworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/braunwyn-windham-spinner-orange-outfit.jpg?quality=86&strip=all)
Sign Up
Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.
Already have an account? Login
Forgot your password?
Get back to the Sign In
Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.
Use escape to exit the menu.
Health
Obesity makes people more likely to catch COVID, study suggests: ‘Indisputable relationship’
![Obesity makes people more likely to catch COVID, study suggests: ‘Indisputable relationship’ Obesity makes people more likely to catch COVID, study suggests: ‘Indisputable relationship’](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/woman-obesity-doctor.jpg)
Obesity has often been described as a “gateway disease” leading to other conditions — and one of those is COVID-19, according to a new study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
Patients with obesity were found to have a 34% higher risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 compared to non-obese people, researchers found.
The study analyzed over 72,000 patients from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, all of whom had either been exposed to COVID or tested positive for the virus between March 2020 and Jan. 2021, according to a press release.
IS MPOX THE NEXT COVID? INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERTS ADDRESS PANDEMIC POTENTIAL
The findings were published in PNAS Nexus on Tuesday.
For adults, obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, aligned with the World Health Organization (WHO)’s guidelines.
Obesity has often been described as a “gateway disease” leading to other conditions — and one of those is COVID-19, according to a new study. (iStock)
For children, the obesity guideline was a growth curve above the 95th percentile, per the criteria from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Obesity rates among younger people are expected to approach 50% by 2030, according to the researchers.
“Obesity is not only a risk factor for worsened outcomes, but also increases the risk for infection upon exposure,” the researchers wrote in the study findings.
NEW COVID VACCINES GET FDA APPROVAL FOR 2024-2025 SEASON
“Identifying such populations early will be crucial for curbing the spread of this infectious disease.”
The results of the study were not surprising to medical experts, including Dr. Rekha Kumar, chief medical officer of Found, a telehealth weight care provider.
![Man with doctor](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/11/1200/675/man-with-doctor.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
“Obesity is not only a risk factor for worsened outcomes, but also increases the risk for infection upon exposure,” the researchers wrote. (iStock)
“We’ve known for some time that obesity is associated with increased severity of COVID-19, including higher risks of hospitalization, ICU admission and death,” Kumar, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital. She is also a practicing endocrinologist in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian.
“This study extends our understanding by suggesting that obesity also increases the risk of initial infection.”
“Whenever you have an increased inflammatory process in the body, it greatly affects the immune system.”
Walter Gaman, M.D., of Executive Medicine of Texas, was not involved in the study, but also noted that the connection between obesity and COVID is “no surprise.”
“We know that obesity is associated with inflammation and chronic diseases,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Whenever you have an increased inflammatory process in the body, it greatly affects the immune system,” he went on. “This is congruent with the findings of the study.”
![COVID test](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/covid-test-senior.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
“There is an indisputable relationship between obesity and the immune system, chronic disease and early death,” a doctor said. (iStock)
Underweight individuals were also at great risk at the height of the pandemic, Gaman pointed out.
“It would be interesting to see a study that addresses both overweight and underweight correlations to COVID,” he added.
Why does obesity increase COVID risk?
There are several potential reasons for the link, according to Kumar, ranging from impaired immune function to coexisting conditions.
![GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 10: An overweight person walks through Glasgow city centre on October 10, 2006 in Glasgow, Scotland. According to government health maps published today, people in the north of England lead less healthy lifestyles compared to those in the south. The United Kingdom is also the fattest country in Europe, according to a new study of obesity rates to be released today. The "Health Profile of England" report, compiled from government data, said some 24 percent of people in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are obese. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2018/09/1200/675/92c76ea3-obesity.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Obesity rates among younger people are expected to approach 50% by 2030, according to the researchers. (Getty Images)
“Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and alterations in immune responses, which can compromise the body’s ability to fight off infections effectively,” she said.
“Additionally, obesity is often associated with other coexisting conditions, including diabetes and hypertension, which are themselves risk factors for COVID-19.”
Based on the findings, Gaman recommended that people obtain and maintain a healthy weight — not just for cosmetic reasons, but to improve their health.
“There is an indisputable relationship between obesity and the immune system, chronic disease and early death,” he confirmed.
![Woman at doctor](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/03/1200/675/nutritionist-appointment.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
A doctor recommends that people with obesity continue to take extra precautions to avoid COVID-19 exposure — and that they speak with a medical provider if they need more specific guidance. (iStock)
“Regular exercise and a healthy diet are the first lines of defense when it comes to strengthening the immune system.”
Kumar recommends that people with obesity continue to take extra precautions to avoid COVID-19 exposure — and that they speak with a medical provider if they need more specific guidance.
Potential limitations
The researchers acknowledged several limitations of the study, primarily that it relied on people self-reporting their exposure to the virus.
Also, all patients are from the Mass General Brigham health care network, which means they may not be representative of a wider population.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
The researchers also used data from patients’ electronic health records, which are subject to errors.
“It’s a case-control study, which can show associations but not prove causation,” Kumar added.
![Man with obesity](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/03/1200/675/man-with-obesity.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Obesity is often associated with other coexisting conditions, including diabetes and hypertension. (iStock)
Another potential limitation is that the study relied on BMI as the sole measure of obesity, she noted, which doesn’t account for body composition or fat distribution.
“BMI can be a helpful measure for some things, but it’s not comprehensive,” she said.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
There may also be underlying factors impacting COVID risk that were not considered, such as socioeconomic status or health care access, according to Kumar.
“I’d like to see this (and any) research replicated to include a broader audience to ensure that it’s as accurate and inclusive as possible,” she said.
-
Connecticut7 days ago
Oxford church provides sanctuary during Sunday's damaging storm
-
Technology1 week ago
Breakthrough robo-glove gives you superhuman grip
-
News1 week ago
Ex-officer convicted in George Floyd's killing is moved to new prison
-
News1 week ago
Video: D.N.C. Holds Enthusiastic Roll Call to Nominate Harris
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
The Substance – NZIFF Closing Night 13th Floor Film Review
-
World1 week ago
Panama deports 29 Colombian migrants from Darien Gap under US deal
-
News1 week ago
Before Mass Shooting, Army Supervisors Ignored Advice
-
Science1 week ago
Algae here, alien life out there — Cal State L.A.-JPL partnership connects engineers to astrobiology