07/08/2025
A 2024 study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress revealed that individuals who compensate for sleep deprivation by sleeping more on weekends may lower their risk of heart disease by up to 20%. As reported by Escardio.org, researchers examined data from over 90,000 participants in the UK Biobank and found that those who engaged in the most "compensatory sleep" during weekends experienced significantly better cardiovascular outcomes compared to those who did not.
Using accelerometers to monitor sleep patterns, participants were categorized based on the amount of additional sleep they obtained on weekends. Those in the top quartile for weekend catch-up sleep showed a 19–20% reduced risk of developing cardiovascular conditions such as heart failure, arrhythmia, and ischemic heart disease.
Despite these findings, sleep specialists emphasize that maintaining consistent sleep schedules throughout the week remains the healthiest strategy. Dr. Alicia Roth of the Cleveland Clinic notes that relying on weekend catch-up sleep is not optimal for circadian rhythm regulation or long-term health. Therefore, while the study suggests potential benefits from weekend sleep recovery, it should be viewed as a fallback strategy rather than a preferred routine.
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https://www.escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-Office/Press-releases/Catching-up-on-sleep-on-weekends-may-lower-heart-disease-risk-by-up-to-20
