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Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do in the Hour Before Going To Sleep, According to Cardiologists
The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do in the Hour Before Going To Sleep, According to Cardiologists originally appeared on Parade. You can likely think of some evening habits that you know aren't good for your cardiovascular health. Smoking or vaping, winding down with an alcoholic drink, staying up way too late…It's true that all these habits can negatively impact the heart, but according to cardiologists we talked to, there is another common evening habit they wish more people would it's second-nature for some, and doing it regularly can take a toll on your body. Keep reading to find out what it is.🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 'The most detrimental pre-bedtime habit I see affecting my patients' heart health is consuming large meals, especially those high in refined carbohydrates or processed foods, within an hour of sleep. This includes late-night snacking on chips, cookies or ordering takeout for a 'midnight meal,' says Dr. Aaron J. Feingold, MD, the Chairman of Cardiology at JFK University Hospital and President of the Raritan Bay Cardiology Group. Dr. Thomas Kim, MD, FAAC, the Non-Invasive Medical Director in the Department of Cardiology at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange County, California, agrees, explaining that eating within one hour of going to bed can lead to elevated cholesterol and high blood sugar levels. Related: 'Heavy meals too close to bedtime should be avoided because meat and fat are hard to digest. [They can also] lead to weight gain and elevated cholesterol,' Dr. Kim says. He adds that eating dinner late can also make acid reflux worse, for those who are prone to it. While you may think that the work of digesting food only impacts the digestive system, Dr. Feingold explains that this is not the case, saying, 'When we eat substantial amounts of food close to bedtime, our cardiovascular system essentially has to work overtime when it should be winding down. Digestion requires increased blood flow to the digestive organs, which means your heart has to pump harder to redistribute blood throughout your body." He adds that eating late also disrupts circadian rhythm, which not only regulates sleep, but also blood pressure, hormone production and metabolic processes. 'When we consistently eat late, we're essentially confusing our body's internal clock,' he says, adding that this can lead to weight gain. Related: Since eating late disrupts circadian rhythm, it can make it harder to fall asleep—something else that is detrimental to heart health. 'Poor sleep is directly linked to high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms and increased inflammation throughout the body. Chronic sleep deprivation can increase cortisol levels, leading to sustained elevation in blood pressure and heart rate,' Dr. Feingold reveals. To avoid these negative effects, he recommends stopping eating 90 minutes before bedtime. 'If you must have something before bed, opt for a small portion of foods that promote sleep and heart health, like a handful of unsalted nuts, a small piece of fruit like cherries—which are a natural source of melatonin—or herbal tea like chamomile,' he says. Related: Eating too close to bedtime isn't the only common evening habit that can negatively impact your heart. Dr. Maged Amine, MD, a cardiologist at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, says that using screens (whether it's your phone, computer, TV or tablet) before bed is also detrimental. 'The blue light emitted from screens can disrupt the body's natural production of melatonin, making it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Poor sleep habits over time can contribute to elevated blood pressure and increased cardiovascular risk,' he shares. Dr. Amine explains that during sleep, heart rate and blood pressure lower, which gives the cardiovascular system a chance to rest. But when sleep is continuously disrupted, the cardiovascular system doesn't get this chance to recover. 'Studies have shown that poor sleep quality is linked to a higher likelihood of hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias,' he says. Dr. Feingold also warns against late-night screentime. Instead, he recommends winding down by doing some gentle stretches, reading a physical book, taking a warm bath or practicing deep breathing. By avoiding both eating and engaging in screen time 90 minutes before bedtime, you're well on your way to having an evening routine in place that supports your entire body, including your heart. Up Next:Dr. Aaron J. Feingold, MD, Chairman of Cardiology at JFK University Hospital and President of the Raritan Bay Cardiology Group Dr. Thomas Kim, MD, FAAC, Non-Invasive Medical Director in the Department of Cardiology at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange County, California Dr. Maged Amine, MD, cardiologist at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do in the Hour Before Going To Sleep, According to Cardiologists first appeared on Parade on Jun 23, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do in the Hour Before Going To Sleep, According to Cardiologists
The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do in the Hour Before Going To Sleep, According to Cardiologists originally appeared on Parade. You can likely think of some evening habits that you know aren't good for your cardiovascular health. Smoking or vaping, winding down with an alcoholic drink, staying up way too late…It's true that all these habits can negatively impact the heart, but according to cardiologists we talked to, there is another common evening habit they wish more people would it's second-nature for some, and doing it regularly can take a toll on your body. Keep reading to find out what it is.🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 'The most detrimental pre-bedtime habit I see affecting my patients' heart health is consuming large meals, especially those high in refined carbohydrates or processed foods, within an hour of sleep. This includes late-night snacking on chips, cookies or ordering takeout for a 'midnight meal,' says Dr. Aaron J. Feingold, MD, the Chairman of Cardiology at JFK University Hospital and President of the Raritan Bay Cardiology Group. Dr. Thomas Kim, MD, FAAC, the Non-Invasive Medical Director in the Department of Cardiology at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange County, California, agrees, explaining that eating within one hour of going to bed can lead to elevated cholesterol and high blood sugar levels. Related: 'Heavy meals too close to bedtime should be avoided because meat and fat are hard to digest. [They can also] lead to weight gain and elevated cholesterol,' Dr. Kim says. He adds that eating dinner late can also make acid reflux worse, for those who are prone to it. While you may think that the work of digesting food only impacts the digestive system, Dr. Feingold explains that this is not the case, saying, 'When we eat substantial amounts of food close to bedtime, our cardiovascular system essentially has to work overtime when it should be winding down. Digestion requires increased blood flow to the digestive organs, which means your heart has to pump harder to redistribute blood throughout your body." He adds that eating late also disrupts circadian rhythm, which not only regulates sleep, but also blood pressure, hormone production and metabolic processes. 'When we consistently eat late, we're essentially confusing our body's internal clock,' he says, adding that this can lead to weight gain. Related: Since eating late disrupts circadian rhythm, it can make it harder to fall asleep—something else that is detrimental to heart health. 'Poor sleep is directly linked to high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms and increased inflammation throughout the body. Chronic sleep deprivation can increase cortisol levels, leading to sustained elevation in blood pressure and heart rate,' Dr. Feingold reveals. To avoid these negative effects, he recommends stopping eating 90 minutes before bedtime. 'If you must have something before bed, opt for a small portion of foods that promote sleep and heart health, like a handful of unsalted nuts, a small piece of fruit like cherries—which are a natural source of melatonin—or herbal tea like chamomile,' he says. Related: Eating too close to bedtime isn't the only common evening habit that can negatively impact your heart. Dr. Maged Amine, MD, a cardiologist at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, says that using screens (whether it's your phone, computer, TV or tablet) before bed is also detrimental. 'The blue light emitted from screens can disrupt the body's natural production of melatonin, making it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Poor sleep habits over time can contribute to elevated blood pressure and increased cardiovascular risk,' he shares. Dr. Amine explains that during sleep, heart rate and blood pressure lower, which gives the cardiovascular system a chance to rest. But when sleep is continuously disrupted, the cardiovascular system doesn't get this chance to recover. 'Studies have shown that poor sleep quality is linked to a higher likelihood of hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias,' he says. Dr. Feingold also warns against late-night screentime. Instead, he recommends winding down by doing some gentle stretches, reading a physical book, taking a warm bath or practicing deep breathing. By avoiding both eating and engaging in screen time 90 minutes before bedtime, you're well on your way to having an evening routine in place that supports your entire body, including your heart. Up Next:Dr. Aaron J. Feingold, MD, Chairman of Cardiology at JFK University Hospital and President of the Raritan Bay Cardiology Group Dr. Thomas Kim, MD, FAAC, Non-Invasive Medical Director in the Department of Cardiology at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange County, California Dr. Maged Amine, MD, cardiologist at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do in the Hour Before Going To Sleep, According to Cardiologists first appeared on Parade on Jun 23, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
