Author Interviews, Circadian Rhythm, Heart Disease / 11.11.2018
Spring Daylight Savings Time Linked to More AFib Admissions
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Jay Chudow, M.D.
Montefiore Medical Center
Bronx, New York
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Jay Chudow, M.D.
Montefiore Medical Center
Bronx, New York
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
- Others found associations between daylight saving time transitions and sleep duration, sleep quality, workplace injuries and traffic accidents. Regarding cardiovascular health, studies in Europe and the United States have found an increased incidence of acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke in the days following daylight saving time transitions.
- Our study found a significant increase in admissions for atrial fibrillation following the daylight saving time spring transition compared to the yearly average (average of 3.13 vs 2.56 admissions per day over the Monday to Thursday period). No significant difference was found following the autumn transition.
- These findings add atrial fibrillation as a known condition associated with daylight saving time transitions. It adds to the knowledge base of negative health consequences of daylight saving time.