Menu
Another reason to dislike DST
McCOOK, Neb. - In a little more than a week, on March 8, Americans will “spring forward” with the return of daylight saving time. Most people grumble about the switch, and lawmakers in Nebraska and elsewhere have shown interest in abandoning the twice-yearly change. The remaining questions are which time would be adopted permanently—standard or daylight saving—and whether enough surrounding states would make the change at the same time.
Shannon Hilaire of the American Heart Association in Nebraska offers a more urgent perspective. The shift to daylight saving time, she said, is associated with a short-term increase in heart attacks and strokes.
The Gazette received a Heart Association news release this week noting that “losing an extra hour of sleep may not be the worst thing that could happen when you ‘spring forward’ at the start of daylight saving time.” The release cited research showing a marked increase in cardiovascular events in the days following the change. One study found a 24 percent increase in heart attacks on the Monday after the switch, while another found the overall rate of ischemic stroke was eight percent higher during the first two days after a daylight saving transition. Separate research has also shown that, in general, more serious heart attacks occur on Mondays than on any other day of the week, making the day after the time change particularly concerning.
We had not heard this before, so we called Shannon Hilaire, the Heart Association’s media contact and asked for more detail.
“We don’t really know why this happens,” Hilaire said. “We don’t know if it’s connected to the disruption of your body’s internal clock or your circadian rhythm.” She added, “While we can’t control it, we can definitely be aware of our increased risk, and also make sure that we know what our heart disease and other risk factors are, as well as knowing the signs of heart attack or stroke.”
When asked what signs people should watch for after the time change, Hilaire said symptoms can differ between men and women. “While chest pain is the most common for both men and women, women may experience less obvious warning signs. A lot of women report feeling like they have the flu, including shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, back or jaw pain, which are typically associated with a heart attack.”
Hilaire said women often delay seeking care, frequently dismissing or downplaying signs of illness. “Women are also more likely to ignore their symptoms, whether it’s just feeling the responsibility of taking care of others or just…” she paused, then added, “You know, I don’t want to say it…when my husband has a cold, it’s the worst thing in the world, but for women, we tend to do a little bit more pushing through.”
She cautioned that doing so can delay treatment. “So it’s very crucial for women and men to understand what their symptoms are or their signs of it, but also recognize the differences and the importance of getting help in a timely manner.”
Health specialists emphasize that preparation and awareness can make a meaningful difference.
Experts offer several suggestions to help people adjust more smoothly to the approaching time change. They recommend beginning now by spending more time outdoors and getting as much natural light as possible each day, which can help the body’s internal rhythm shift in advance. They also advise easing into an earlier evening routine, noting that while lost sleep cannot truly be recovered, entering the time change well rested can lessen its impact.
Finally, they caution against relying on extra caffeine to push through fatigue, emphasizing that although another cup of coffee may seem helpful during a midday slump, excessive caffeine is not heart-healthy.
Sleep is also a key factor, Hilaire said. “The Heart Association also pushes something called ‘Life’s Essential Eight,’ which is our equation of the four health factors and four health behaviors that are needed for good cardiovascular health, and sleep. We know that the amount and the quality of sleep a person gets at any time of the year is essential to good health. That’s why the American Heart Association has added sleep.” She said insufficient sleep increases the risk of cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack and stroke and is also linked to depression, cognitive decline and obesity.
The Association identifies ideal daily sleep durations by age group, recommending seven to nine hours for adults, eight to ten hours for adolescents ages 13 to 18, nine to twelve hours for children ages 6 to 12, and ten to sixteen hours for children ages 5 and younger.
“The most important thing that we try to remind everybody, especially in rural areas, is to be sure to call 911 if you or someone is experiencing any of those symptoms,” Hilaire said.