Alarm vs snooze: What the latest study suggests to avoid heart attack risk | Mint

Research shows that waking up suddenly to an alarm can cause a sudden increase in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate, increasing the risk of conditions like heart attack or stroke. If someone is using an alarm, the ‘snooze’ option may be more helpful.

One study found that people who were awakened by an alarm had a 74 percent higher morning blood pressure than those who woke up naturally.

The research also indicated that this increase in blood pressure is more pronounced with insufficient sleep. This problem is further aggravated by waking up abruptly to a phone alarm.

A sudden increase in blood pressure can activate the sympathetic nervous system, causing the heart to work harder and causing symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty breathing, anxiety, stiff neck and, in severe cases, nosebleeds and headaches.

The study also said that adults suffering from heart problems may face more severe effects due to increased blood pressure in the early morning because they have not had enough sleep and wake up suddenly.

Increase in stress hormones

In addition, waking up abruptly activates stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which disrupts the body’s natural sleep cycle. This leads to “sleep inertia,” which can result in a person feeling groggy and confused upon waking up in the morning.

In addition, using an alarm to wake up may have a negative impact on mental health and mood, as sleep is important for emotional regulation and mood stability, studies have shown. Disruptions from alarms can also make individuals feel irritable, stressed, and anxious, which could potentially indirectly affect heart health.

Take a nap to stay healthy

Meanwhile, this has come to light in another study. Journal of Sleep Research Studies have shown that hitting the snooze button and getting an extra five or ten minutes of sleep can actually be good for your health.

The research showed that people who regularly hit the snooze button lost only six minutes of sleep per night, which had no impact on their morning sleepiness or mood.

Healthy alternatives to alarms

Dr. Sudhir Kumar, neurologist at Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, suggests some healthy alternatives to alarms.

The doctor wrote on his social media account that what a person can do is:

1. Avoid using alarms regularly

2. Have adequate sleep (7-8 hours) so that one can wake up naturally.

3. Let natural light enter your room, this will reduce the production of melatonin (sleep hormone) in the brain. This will help you wake up naturally.

4. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, which enables the circadian rhythm, i.e. the body’s sleep cycle, to run smoothly.

5. If an alarm has to be used, use a pleasant or sweet sound, which is pleasant to hear and will help keep health hazards at bay.