Longevity & AgingNight Light Exposure Sharply Raises Heart Disease Risk in 89,000-Person Study
A large UK Biobank cohort study of 88,905 adults found that personal light exposure at night — measured by wrist-worn sensors — was strongly associated with higher incidence of five major cardiovascular diseases over 9.5 years. Compared to those with the darkest nights, individuals in the brightest night-light group had 32% higher risk of coronary artery disease, 47% higher risk of myocardial infarction, 56% higher risk of heart failure, 32% higher risk of atrial fibrillation, and 28% higher risk of stroke. These associations held after adjusting for physical activity, smoking, alcohol, diet, sleep, socioeconomic status, and genetic risk. Females and younger adults showed stronger associations for certain outcomes.
