A newly-conducted study has discovered that going to bed between 10pm and 11pm reduces the risk of developing heart disease.
If you ever needed an excuse for an early night, this is it.
The study – which was written by Dr David Plans of the University of Exeter, and published in European Heart Journal – Digital Health, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) – found that compared to falling asleep between 10pm and 10.59pm, there was a 12% greater risk of developing cardiovascular diseases for 11pm to 11.59 pm, and a 24% increased risk for falling asleep before 10pm.
There was also a 25% higher risk of cardiovascular disease associated with falling asleep at midnight or later.
The study included 88,026 people in the UK Biobank study, recruited between 2006 and 2010, with the average age of study participants being 61 years.
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Participants were aged between 43 and 79 years old, with 58% women.
“The body has a 24-hour internal clock, called circadian rhythm, that helps regulate physical and mental functioning,” Dr David Plans explained.
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“While we cannot conclude causation from our study, the results suggest that early or late bedtimes may be more likely to disrupt the body clock, with adverse consequences for cardiovascular health.”
The study included 88,026 people in the UK Biobank study, recruited between 2006 and 2010 / Credit: Flickr
Not only that, but a further analysis by sex found that the increased cardiovascular risk was also stronger in women.
Before the study, participants were required to complete demographic, lifestyle, health, and, physical assessments and questionnaires, and then researchers collected data on sleep onset and waking up time over seven days using a device worn on the wrist.
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Participants were then followed up for a new diagnosis of cardiovascular disease – which was defined as a heart attack, heart failure, chronic ischaemic heart disease, stroke, and transient ischaemic attack – and during an average follow-up of 5.7 years, 3,172 participants (3.6%) developed cardiovascular disease, according to the study.
The study ultimately found that this diagnosis was the highest in those with bed times at midnight or later, and the lowest in those with sleep onset from 10pm to 10.59 pm.
Dr David Plans admitted that the reasons for the observed stronger association between sleep onset and cardiovascular disease in women is unclear, but concluded that: “While the findings do not show causality, sleep timing has emerged as a potential cardiac risk factor – independent of other risk factors and sleep characteristics.”
“It’s important to remember that this study can only show an association and can’t prove cause and effect,” added Regina Giblin – Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation.
Featured Image – Pixabay
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‘Groundbreaking’ new police team launches on Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world
Emily Sergeant
A ‘groundbreaking’ new policing model aimed at making the Bee Network one of the safest public transport networks in the world has launched.
Described as being ‘pioneering’, the first-of-its-kind approach – named the Transport Policing and Crime Command (TPACC) – will bring Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) even closer together to tackle crime, antisocial behaviour, and safety issues across the region’s transport network.
So, how will it work then? Well, according to TfGM, the command will ‘effectively establish’ the Bee Network as GMP’s eleventh policing district.
It will bring together up to 300 personnel, including new police officers, who are all involved in keeping the network safe and providing greater reassurance to passengers travelling across the region.
Efforts to keep passengers safe on buses, trams, active travel routes, and roads across Greater Manchester will be ‘strengthened’ through the new team – improving co-ordination in response to incidents, and helping to reassure communities.
A ‘groundbreaking’ new police team has launched on the Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world / Credit: TfGM
The new team will also incorporate the existing Roads Policing Unit within GMP that includes specialist functions such as the Central Ticket Office, the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit, the motorbike unit, the Commercial Vehicle Unit, the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, and more.
Overall, the key focus of TPACC is to:
Increase public confidence on safety across the transport network
Reduce violence, antisocial behaviour and criminality across the transport network
Increase the number of users of the Bee Network across Greater Manchester
The launch of TPACC is said to represents ‘the next phase’ of Greater Manchester’s commitment to creating a ‘safer, more secure, and more welcoming’ transport network for everyone who lives, works, and travels across the region.
“I want a world-class Bee Network where everyone feels safe,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“Our new dedicated transport policing command will bring together more than 300 police and safety officers, with high-profile patrols across our roads and the Bee Network. It means a stronger presence in our communities and faster action when people need help.
“TPACC will also crack down on dangerous driving to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, which have devastating consequences for families and communities.”
Featured Image – TfGM
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Two arrested after assaulting and burgling 90-year-old woman in Stockport suburb
Emily Sergeant
Two people have been arrested following reports of an assault and burglary at a 90-year-old woman’s home in a Stockport suburb.
While en-route to the incident in Heald Green – which was reported to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) at around 2:30am on 29 October – officers located the victim’s vehicle being driven by an unknown man.
The stolen vehicle made off from police before it lost control, went up a grass verge, and collided with a stationary vehicle.
Police confirmed that a white British man, aged 41, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of a burglary and serious assault, while a white British woman, aged 47, was also later arrested on suspicion of burglary and serious assault – with both remaining in custody for questioning.
The victim, a 90-year-old woman, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being supported by specialist officers, although luckily, her injuries are not life-threatening.
Enquiries are now ongoing, and officers are working to establish the full circumstances of the shocking incident.
“This was undoubtedly a traumatic experience for the victim, and we have specialist officers supporting her through this investigation,” explained Detective Inspector Craig Turner, from Stockport CID.
“This was a violent burglary and thanks to the brave victim reporting it, our officers made two swift arrests with the suspects taken into police custody to be interviewed.
“We believe this was a targeted attack and there is no wider risk to the community. Extra patrols of officers have been deployed to the area to offer reassurance to members of the community. Please let them know if you have any concerns.
“We are committed to tackling dangerous offenders and keeping our communities safe from harm.”
Emily Sergeant -
9th November 2021 
