Sleeping 11 minutes longer each night shows surprising health benefit, study finds

New research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that combining modest shifts in daily habits is associated with a significantly reduced risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, stroke and heart failure.

Researchers found that sleeping for just 11 minutes more per night was a key component of a lifestyle shift associated with a 10% lower risk of major cardiovascular events.

"We show that combining small changes in a few areas of our lives can have a surprisingly large positive impact on our cardiovascular health," said lead author Nicholas Koemel, a research fellow at the University of Sydney.

While every extra minute counts, the study identified an ideal range for maximum heart protection that could slash the risk of heart disease by 57% compared to those with the least healthy habits.

The primary pillar of that profile was achieving eight to nine hours of sleep per night, the study noted.

"Making even modest shifts in our daily routines is likely to have cardiovascular benefits as well as create opportunities for further changes in the long run," Koemel added. "I would encourage people not to overlook the importance of making a small change or two to your daily routine, no matter how small they may seem."

The study was observational, meaning it showed a strong link between these small habits and heart health but could not prove that one directly caused the other.

The researchers emphasized that studying these behaviors together is more meaningful than looking at them in isolation because sleep, diet and movement are constantly influencing one another in a daily cycle.