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As a cardiologist, I often tell my patients that what happens to the heart at night is just as important as what happens during the day. One question that is becoming increasingly common is: Can sleeping with a television on, leaving a bedside light switched on, or even the glow from a phone affect our <span>arteries</span>? The answer is not as simple as saying that a little light will “harden” your arteries. 

There is no good evidence to suggest that a few nights of sleeping with <span>dim light</span> directly causes arterial stiffness. However, emerging research suggests that regular exposure to light during the night may interfere with the body's natural biological clock—and that could have consequences for cardiovascular health over time. 

Our bodies are programmed to distinguish between day and night. When darkness arrives, melatonin levels rise, the brain prepares us for <span>sleep</span>, heart rate and blood pressure normally fall, and the sympathetic nervous system—the body's “fight or flight” system—becomes quieter. 

Introducing artificial light into this period may disturb some of these processes. Blue-rich light from phones, tablets and televisions is particularly effective at suppressing melatonin and delaying the body's preparation for <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/salt-stomping-before-bed-does-this-viral-tiktok-sleep-hack-actually-work-article-156249875" data-type="tilCustomLink">sleep</a>. Even relatively modest light exposure during sleep has been shown in experimental studies to affect sleep and some measures of cardiovascular function.

<h2>What <span rel="noindex">Nighttime Light</span> Could Mean For Arteries </h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/heart-valve-clips-explained-how-a-tiny-clip-can-help-repair-a-leaking-valve-article-156249382" data-type="tilCustomLink">Heart Valve Clips Explained: How a Tiny Clip Can Help Repair a Leaking Valve</a>

This matters because arteries are not simply pipes carrying blood. They are living, dynamic organs. Healthy arteries should be able to expand and contract appropriately in response to changes in blood flow. Poor-quality sleep, repeated activation of the stress response, higher nighttime <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/heart-attack-of-the-leg-women-may-overlook-this-leg-symptom-that-signals-blocked-arteries-heart-risk-article-156252114" data-type="tilCustomLink">blood pressure</a> and disruption of the body's circadian rhythm can impair this delicate balance. Over many years, these changes may contribute to vascular ageing and arterial stiffness. 

There is also some striking population-level evidence. In a recent UK Biobank study involving nearly 89,000 adults who wore light sensors, people exposed to the highest levels of light at night had higher observed risks of several cardiovascular conditions. 

Compared with those experiencing darker nights, the highest-exposure group had a 47% higher adjusted risk of myocardial infarction and a 56% higher risk of heart failure. These are important findings, but there is an essential caveat: this was an observational study. It shows an association, not proof that nighttime light itself caused heart attacks or heart failure. People exposed to more nighttime light may also differ in sleep patterns, lifestyle, work schedules and other ways that influence <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/world-heart-day-you-feel-healthy-but-plaque-may-already-be-building-in-your-arteries-in-your-20s-article-156246734" data-type="tilCustomLink">cardiovascular risk</a>.

<h2>Should You Sleep In A Completely Dark Room? </h2>

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So, should we panic if the phone is charging beside the bed or if a little light enters through the curtains? Certainly not. But I do think there is a simple message worth taking home: darkness is part of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/the-hidden-health-cost-of-excessive-screen-time-dry-eyes-ringing-ears-poor-sleep-article-156250429" data-type="tilCustomLink">healthy sleep</a>. If possible, keep the bedroom reasonably dark, avoid scrolling on the phone immediately before bedtime, reduce unnecessary screen brightness in the evening and switch off the television rather than sleeping with it on. 

At the same time, we should keep this issue in perspective. High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity and poor diet remain far more established drivers of cardiovascular disease. Night time light is an emerging area of research—not a newly discovered cause of blocked or stiff arteries. 

The heart, like the rest of the body, has its own daily rhythm. Giving it a period of darkness and uninterrupted sleep may simply be one small, sensible way of respecting that rhythm.

<strong><em>Dr. Ranjan Modi, Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, <span rel="noindex">Cardiac Care</span>, Medanta Noida</em></strong>

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As a cardiologist, I often tell my patients that what happens to the heart at night is just as important as what happens during the day. One question that is becoming increasingly common is: Can sleeping with a television on, leaving a bedside light switched on, or even the glow from a phone affect our arteries? The answer is not as simple as saying that a little light will “harden” your arteries. There is no good evidence to suggest that a few nights of sleeping with dim light directly causes arterial stiffness. However, emerging research suggests that regular exposure to light during the night may interfere with the body's natural biological clock—and that could have consequences for cardiovascular health over time. Our bodies are programmed to distinguish between day and night. When darkness arrives, melatonin levels rise, the brain prepares us for sleep, heart rate and blood pressure normally fall, and the sympathetic nervous system—the body's “fight or flight” system—becomes quieter. Introducing artificial light into this period may disturb some of these processes. Blue-rich light from phones, tablets and televisions is particularly effective at suppressing melatonin and delaying the body's preparation for sleep. Even relatively modest light exposure during sleep has been shown in experimental studies to affect sleep and some measures of cardiovascular function.What Nighttime Light Could Mean For Arteries Also read: Heart Valve Clips Explained: How a Tiny Clip Can Help Repair a Leaking ValveThis matters because arteries are not simply pipes carrying blood. They are living, dynamic organs. Healthy arteries should be able to expand and contract appropriately in response to changes in blood flow. Poor-quality sleep, repeated activation of the stress response, higher nighttime blood pressure and disruption of the body's circadian rhythm can impair this delicate balance. Over many years, these changes may contribute to vascular ageing and arterial stiffness. There is also some striking population-level evidence. In a recent UK Biobank study involving nearly 89,000 adults who wore light sensors, people exposed to the highest levels of light at night had higher observed risks of several cardiovascular conditions. Compared with those experiencing darker nights, the highest-exposure group had a 47% higher adjusted risk of myocardial infarction and a 56% higher risk of heart failure. These are important findings, but there is an essential caveat: this was an observational study. It shows an association, not proof that nighttime light itself caused heart attacks or heart failure. People exposed to more nighttime light may also differ in sleep patterns, lifestyle, work schedules and other ways that influence cardiovascular risk.Should You Sleep In A Completely Dark Room?             So, should we panic if the phone is charging beside the bed or if a little light enters through the curtains? Certainly not. But I do think there is a simple message worth taking home: darkness is part of healthy sleep. If possible, keep the bedroom reasonably dark, avoid scrolling on the phone immediately before bedtime, reduce unnecessary screen brightness in the evening and switch off the television rather than sleeping with it on. At the same time, we should keep this issue in perspective. High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity and poor diet remain far more established drivers of cardiovascular disease. Night time light is an emerging area of research—not a newly discovered cause of blocked or stiff arteries. The heart, like the rest of the body, has its own daily rhythm. Giving it a period of darkness and uninterrupted sleep may simply be one small, sensible way of respecting that rhythm.Dr. Ranjan Modi, Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, Cardiac Care, Medanta Noida

can dim light or screen glare during sleep stiffen your arteries? what the science says

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Can Dim Light or Screen Glare During Sleep Stiffen Your Arteries? What the Science Says

Why Does Your Nose Get Blocked on One Side and Then Switch Sides? The Little-Known 'Nasal Cycle' Explained

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Health Conditions A-Z

Can Dim Light or Screen Glare During Sleep Stiffen Your Arteries? What the Science Says

Why Does Your Nose Get Blocked on One Side and Then Switch Sides? The Little-Known 'Nasal Cycle' Explained

Peripheral Vascular Disease Explained: Symptoms, Risks, Prevention & Treatment