How Disrupted Body Clocks May Affect Heart and Blood Vessel Health

Circadian misalignment is associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors.

• The circadian system generates approximately 24-hour rhythms in nearly all biological processes.
• Epidemiological studies indicate time-of-day variations in adverse cardiovascular events.
• Controlled laboratory studies show that circadian rhythms influence key markers of cardiovascular function and risk.
• Circadian disruption is typically experienced by shift workers and individuals with late eating or sleep disturbances.
• Understanding how the circadian system regulates cardiovascular function could inform intervention strategies.

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