A steadier sleep schedule and the heart, sleep and the brain in people living with long-term conditions, a sleep apnoea check that is now live on some wearables, a tough quarter for one mattress maker, and America's clock change debate. Here is your quick tour of the week in sleep.
An irregular sleep schedule was linked to more heart problems
Researchers presenting at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions looked at more than a million nights of wearable sleep data from 10,362 US adults with no heart disease at the start. Over an average of 3.7 years, people whose bedtimes and sleep length shifted more from night to night had a roughly 20 to 24% higher risk of serious heart events such as heart attack, stroke and heart failure. This is preliminary research presented at a conference and has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Why it matters: it shows a link rather than proof that irregular sleep causes heart problems, and an independent expert quoted alongside the findings urged caution. Still, keeping roughly the same bedtime and wake time is one of the simplest sleep habits there is, and our guide to the best time to go to bed can help you find a rhythm that suits you.
EurekAlert! (American Heart Association)
Good sleep linked to healthier brains in people with diabetes or heart disease
A Karolinska Institutet team, writing in the Journal of the American Heart Association, used UK Biobank data from more than 400,000 middle-aged and older adults, including about 54,000 living with type 2 diabetes, heart disease or stroke. Among people with these conditions, those who reported healthier sleep did slightly better on thinking tests and had larger brain volumes on MRI scans. The link between sleep and brain structure was stronger in this group than in people without these conditions.
Why it matters: sleep was self-reported and the study is observational, so it cannot show cause and effect. But it adds to a growing picture that sleep is worth looking after, especially if you are already managing a long-term health condition.
EurekAlert! (Karolinska Institutet)
Samsung's upgraded sleep apnoea check is now rolling out
Last week we covered Samsung's announcement of a more detailed sleep apnoea feature. It has now started rolling out in the US and South Korea on the Galaxy Ring and Galaxy Watch 9, following clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration and approval from Korea's medicines regulator. Rather than only flagging possible signs, it reports how often significant breathing disruptions were detected, using two nights of data. The Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch 8 are due to follow, and Samsung has not given a UK date.
Why it matters: Samsung is clear the feature is not a diagnosis and is not meant for people already diagnosed. If loud snoring, gasping or daytime tiredness sound familiar, our guide to sleep apnoea symptoms and testing in the UK explains how to get properly checked.
A tough quarter for US mattress maker Purple
Purple Innovation reported third-quarter sales of $96.5 million, down 18.7% on a year earlier, with the biggest fall in sales through other retailers. Its net loss narrowed to $1.4 million as it cut costs, it kept its full-year sales forecast, and it plans to refresh its main mattress ranges in early 2027.
Why it matters: it is a sign that mattress buying remains cautious, at least in the US. With big seasonal sales on the way, it is worth remembering that the right mattress comes down to comfort and support for how you sleep, not the size of the discount.
PR Newswire (Purple Innovation)
America's clocks went back, and the permanent time debate rumbles on
US clocks fell back an hour on 1 November, a week after ours did on 25 October. A bill to make daylight saving time permanent passed the US House of Representatives by 308 votes to 117 in July but has stalled in the Senate. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine opposes it, arguing that permanent standard time fits our body clocks better and avoids dark winter mornings.
Why it matters: whatever Washington decides, the debate is a useful reminder of how much morning light shapes our sleep. If you are still adjusting, our guide to handling the clock change has some simple tips.
Spectrum News 13 and American Academy of Sleep Medicine
That is it for this week. As the nights draw in, a regular bedtime and a bit of daylight each morning are two of the kindest things you can do for your sleep.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If your symptoms are persistent or severe, or you are unsure what is causing them, please speak to your GP.
Edited by Scott McCulloch, SleepyDeepy co-founder. Read how we research and check our articles.
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