Summary
Research highlighted by the American Heart Association shows that circadian misalignment—common in teens with irregular sleep schedules— is linked to reduced HRV and may have long-term cardiovascular implications.
Methods
AHA scientific statement review of adolescent cardiovascular health
Key Findings
- Late sleep timing associated with lower HRV in teens
- Weekend-weekday sleep differences correlated with reduced HRV
- Social jet lag impacts autonomic function
- Early intervention may prevent long-term effects
- Screen time before bed exacerbates circadian disruption
Limitations
Observational data, many confounding factors in adolescence
What This Means for You
For teenagers, maintaining consistent sleep schedules—even on weekends— may help preserve healthy HRV. Parents and teens should prioritize regular sleep timing over total sleep duration.
Source
Read the original paper in American Heart Association ↗
Added to HRV Zone: 2025-01-10